Bromeliad Description
Bromeliads have long strappy leaves and oddly shaped blooms that emerge from the center cup of the plant. The blooms almost resemble pineapples in the way they are shaped. They are fairly easy to care for, and can be kept for years and years. Sometimes they can be difficult to rebloom, but the foliage alone makes the plant worth keeping.
Lighting Conditions for Your Bromeliad
Medium to high.
Repotting a Bromeliad
Repot as needed. The original plant will not rebloom from that point, but the plant will set "pups". Pups are the side shoots that develop and can grow into full size plants eventually. They can be separated from the parent plant when they get to be about 1/3 the size of the parent plant, and develop roots. Cut them from the big plant, being sure to keep roots attached to the pups, and plant them into an appropriate size pot.
Bromeliad Watering
Keep lightly damp.
Fertilization
Schultz Cactus food or Dynamite Orchid & Bromeliad fertilizer.
Problems and Solutions
The biggest problems with bromeliads are also the most common. Scale, spider mite and mealybugs can all be treated with horticultural oil or a product like Indoor Pharm, a soybean oil based spray. Bromeliads can also develop leaf spots in low humidity, and root rot if over watered.
The key to getting bromeliads to rebloom is actually fermentation. If the plant refuses to set bud and bloom, try putting a slice of apple in a plastic bag and fastening a bag over the cup of the plant. Sometimes this will help the bud to form.
