Bromeliad is a tropical plant that has various vibrant leaves and flowers. There are 75 general and around 3,590 known species of bromeliads that can be found on this Earth. Not many know that home-grown bromeliads are fallen under the same family as pineapple. That is why their leaves are almost similar!
Bromeliad plants are a beautiful addition to any home or garden, prized for their vibrant colours, interesting shapes, and delicate textures. However, caring for these exotic plants can sometimes seem like a mysterious and complex task. But with a little knowledge and some basic care guidelines, it's quite easy to provide the right conditions for thriving bromeliads. With these simple tips, you can help your gorgeous bromeliad plants thrive and bloom again and again!
- Watering
Many bromeliads are epiphytes. Epiphytes grow on the surface of a plant and derive their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water, or debris accumulating around it. Like a parasite, bromeliads grow on a host, but they take no nutrients from the tree itself, unlike a parasite.
There are two methods of watering bromeliads. The first way is watering the plant's medium, and the second one is the 'dunk method', which is flooding the leaves of the plant. There are pros and cons to these two ways.
For watering the medium, the method is suitable for avoiding any leaves from rotting since it helps avoid excessive water from accumulating in between the leaves. However, the method, if done excessively, will lead to root rot. Since bromeliads in nature are hanging plants, their roots do not have that much water.
On the other hand, the dunk method is the best way to avoid root rot of bromeliads. However, if you are up for this method, be sure to remove the excess water every 3 to 4 days to prevent the leaves from rotting. Removing the excess water will prevent the spread of mosquitoes’ eggs and larvae.
- Potting medium
Bromeliads hate their roots drowning. The best and most accessible medium for bromeliads would be coco chips. Coco chips are easy to find, handle and affordable. They provide good drainage for the roots, and the fibrous texture repels the pest of bromeliads. Coco chips are degradable and can be recycled.
You can also use a soil medium for bromeliad. However, be sure to use the best ratio that provides good aeration for the soil. You can mix your readily available soil at home with sand and even perlite.
- Fertilisers
Bromeliads are made up of leaves. Therefore, the best fertiliser for bromeliads is growing fertiliser with 15-15-15 NPK. However, if your bromeliad is starting to bloom, you can begin to use flowering fertiliser with high phosphorus to induce the blooming process. You can also use humic acid to brighten up the colours of your bromeliads.
- Disease and pest
The disease that usually occurs to bromeliads is leaf and root rots, which are caused by bacteria. This condition is induced by the accumulation of water in between the leaves and in the soil. To avoid this from happening, provide a good spacing between bromeliad plants to give good air circulation, and use the proper ratio of soil mixture.
For pest, the main pest for bromeliad is snail. Always check your medium to regulate any pest infestation.
- Sunlight
In nature, bromeliads live in shady areas between plants with high humidity. To recreate the condition and to provide the ambience, place your bromeliads under shade such as under a porch, under sunshade netting, or hang them in tree barks. If bromeliads are exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves will get burnt, and the chances that the plants cannot survive are high.
Lastly, if you are looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will add a splash of colour to your home, consider adding a bromeliad to your collection and it may be the perfect choice for you. Follow our simple tips on how to water and fertilise your plants, and you will be enjoying its beauty and vibrant blooms for days to come.
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