Bromelia

Bromeliad is an evergreen epiphyte of the herbaceous group, which belongs to the bromeliad family of almost the same name. In nature, this plant is very common in Brazil, but gradual cultivation has led to the fact that today bromeliads can be found everywhere in Argentina and Mexico, in Bolivia, as well as in countries located in Central and South America. This is due to the fact that the climatic conditions that have formed there are considered the most suitable and ideal for the plant. The genus includes more than 60 different species, but there are breeders who say that this number is far from the limit. Some of these species are very popular with modern flower growers, since the plant as a whole does not impose any special requirements for care or planting, but at the same time it turns out to be sufficiently decorative and attractive.

Features of culture, Bromeliad care

Indoor bromeliad, as we have already indicated, is a herb that belongs to the family of perennial plantings. The root system of the plant is developed at an incredibly high level, and it is due to this that it perfectly keeps plantings in the soil composition. Usually the stem is not very long, and in general it is usually characterized more as a shortened one. The leaf blades of the plant are very attractive - they are leathery, variegated, most often small thorns are also formed on them. The color of the leaves is usually pale, green, but this does not make the plant somehow impersonal. The peduncle has an apex, on which the inflorescences are located, painted either in a deep yellow shade, or in a bright red color. The shape of the inflorescence can be different - there are racemose inflorescences, capitate inflorescences or spike-shaped ones - it all depends on which variety this plant belongs to.

At the same time, in any case, the inflorescence will look incredibly attractive precisely due to the fact that its bracts are large in size and stand out against the background of a common plant. When the bush stops blooming, then boxes form on it - juicy berries, which can also grow together in some species and form whole large seedlings. At the same time, today flower growers cultivate about 35 species of bromeliads, each species has its own features and characteristics, the most important thing is to be able to distinguish them and identify them, because depending on the species and variety, there is a separate and special approach to planting and care for bromeliads.

If the bromeliad grows on the windowsill right in the apartment, then it is worth providing all the most necessary conditions for the plant so that it grows and develops normally. The plant does not react very well if suddenly air stagnation forms in the room, and bromeliad is also demanding enough to have good lighting in the room. In this case, the light should not be expressed by direct sunlight, but be diffused, since due to direct sun exposure on the green part of the bromeliad, burns can form over time, which, of course, have an extremely negative effect on both the appearance of the plant and its health, internal state. The room in which the container with the plant is located must be systematically ventilated, and this should be done very often, since signs of infections or diseases can form due to stagnant air.

The bromeliad bush must be protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts, and you should also not leave it near air conditioners or fans, as they can provoke various negative reactions from the plant. If direct sunlight suddenly falls on the bromeliad, then it is worth protecting the plant from the rays precisely at midday, since the sun during this period is especially aggressive, and it may happen that too severe burns form on the green part of the plant.It is best (and if there is such an opportunity), then put the plant on the windowsill, the windows of which face east. With the onset of the winter period, the length of daylight hours is noticeably reduced, so that the bush should receive additional artificial lighting. In this case, the light source should not be directed directly at the flower itself - it is better to direct it towards the ceiling, and the light independently in a diffused form will reach the bromeliad itself.

In summer, the plant feels great if the air temperature varies from 20 to 25 degrees, that is, there should not be too much heat and drought. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 15 degrees and not higher than 18. Do not allow the temperature to drop too much or too sharply, since bromeliads should not be kept for a long time at critically low temperatures. Otherwise, the flower will simply freeze, which means that it will no longer demonstrate growth and development indicators, and even more so, one should not expect any outstanding development indicators from bromeliads in this case, it will not bloom, the green part will become completely emaciated and painful. Such a plant will clearly not decorate any windowsill or house.

When the plant is in indoor conditions, then it needs more frequent watering. Moreover, if the weather is too hot, almost critically sultry, then it is also recommended to water the bromeliad daily. Experienced gardeners and experts say that it is best to pour water directly into the funnel formed by the leaf plates. It is the foliage that absorbs the largest share of moisture, and it is through it that the plant receives not only moisture, but also all the necessary useful and nutrients and components, so that the introduction of moisture and trace elements is carried out precisely through the leaf funnel. At the same time, it should be said right away that watering in this way is technically very difficult, so before that you should practice a little and learn how to do it so as not to cause any harm to the plant. If the grower still does not have any experience with watering bromeliads, then you can simply fill the soil mixture with moisture, as is usually done with all other plants. It is worth watering only when the topsoil in the container dries up. The liquid should not stagnate in the soil or in the container, as this can provoke the development of diseases, especially fungi and rot in the area of ​​the root system. But still it is worth clarifying that in the pallet in which the container with the planting is located, there should always be some amount of water. When winter comes, the amount of watering should also be reduced. For example, watering is optimal once a week, not more often. In general, in winter, it is recommended not to touch the plant, reduce watering and completely cancel all fertilizing, as this can provoke excessive plant activity, and because of this, in the spring it will be too weakened to develop and function normally further.

A plant such as bromeliad is in great need of increased air humidity, because initially it grew in areas where the climate was just that. Typically, humidity should be at least 70%. In order to achieve such indicators, it is recommended to systematically moisturize the plant by spraying sludge with a spray bottle. It is also recommended to set aside an open vessel with water not far from the place where the bromeliad is located, or you can fill containers in the form of basins or aquariums, which, when evaporated, will also provide the air with the necessary level of humidity. If the gardener has the technical capabilities, then you can also use a household air humidifier, and you can pour pebbles into the pallet and fill it with some water, and only then put the pot in which the bromeliad is planted on it.

In order to water the plant, in no case should you take running cold water: it must settle and acquire room temperature. It is also worth taking boiled water so that all the chlorine evaporates from it. The foliage is the part of the bromeliad that absorbs the most oxygen, so it's worth keeping a close eye on the cleanliness of the foliage. The leaves are gently wiped with a damp cloth or sponge, the procedure is repeated quite often - about once a week.

In order to feed bromeliads, it is worth using solutions based on mineral supplements and mixtures. These should be special fertilizers, which are just intended for flowering indoor plants. In spring and summer, the bushes should be fed regularly. If we talk about the frequency of fertilization, then this is approximately once every 3-4 weeks. Much depends on the general condition of the planting itself, as well as on temperature and climatic conditions. With the onset of winter, feeding should be reduced, usually one feeding every 6 weeks is enough. The solution, which is prepared on the basis of mineral fertilizers and mixtures, is poured directly into the soil. There is another way - this is feeding directly on the foliage, since through the green part, trace elements and components will reach the general system of bromeliads much faster. But in this way, only those gardeners who have enough experience and knowledge can feed the plants, since in some cases it is possible to incorrectly feed the plants, and then the planting itself will be damaged.

Usually the bromeliad bush blooms very profusely in the summer. In order for flowering to come a little earlier, and the grower would rather enjoy its results, it is recommended to resort to some tricks. One of them is as follows: put a few apple fruits near the planting pot. Further, the florist covers them and the plant with a plastic bag, and the shelter is removed after about 7-10 days. Fruits such as apples emit several substances, ethylenes, which stimulate the flowering of the shrub, and therefore flowers can be enjoyed a little earlier than the period usually indicated by the growers themselves.

In general, I would like to mention that, in general, bromeliad flowers do not represent absolutely any decorative value. But with bracts, a completely different story - they look not only spectacular, but also very attractive. The duration of flowering of bromeliads directly depends on which species the plant belongs to. Usually flowering can last up to several weeks, and there are species that can bloom for several months, so they are even more appreciated by flower growers. When the bush stops blooming, then it is worth cutting off the arrow, but this must be done very carefully. In this case, it is necessary to have time to cut the arrow exactly before it starts to dry, otherwise it will provoke the ejection of seeds. With proper care, you can collect arrows and then select a full-fledged planting material from them - excellent and full-fledged plants are always obtained from children, which also delight the grower with their unpretentiousness and rather attractive appearance already as adult plants.

If the gardener decides to transplant, then he must remember that this is done only if necessary. Moreover, usually the need arises when the plant becomes too cramped in the container in which it previously grew. The roots may begin to gradually bulge outward, hanging from the holes that were originally intended for drainage and to remove excess moisture from the container. In addition, such a picture noticeably spoils the appearance of the plant, so a transplant is simply necessary here. The frequency is once every two to three years. This procedure is carried out only when the plant is at the stage of very active and intensive growth.In order for the bromeliad to grow normally, you should use a container that is made of wood or ceramic - it is best not to take plastic containers, since they are completely unreliable for a plant with such a powerful root system, and the planting will look completely non-decorative. During transplantation, only new containers should be taken, the pot in diameter should be about 2-3 centimeters larger than the previous one, so that the plant has where to install its root system, and where to grow, respectively.

In the pot, before transplanting, the gardener makes a solid drainage layer, and only after that a moistened new soil mixture is sent to the pot, which should allow air to pass through very well. The composition of the soil should include peat and coarse sand, since they are considered the most suitable for the further growth and development of the plant. In the middle of the whole mixture, it is worth making a not very deep hole, which is filled with moisture. The bush is removed from the old container very carefully so as not to damage the root system, after which the roots should be left in a pre-prepared hole, where the soil is then poured in to completely fill the container. Do not forget that the substrate should be slightly compacted, especially in the area around the shrub itself.

Reproduction is another question that we will answer in this article. Bromeliad reproduces only after its flowering is complete. The optimal period is from February to April. At the base of the bush, shoots grow, which just grow and gain strength within 8-12 weeks. After that, they can be separated from the mother bush, a well-sharpened knife is used for this, which is disinfected in advance so that bacteria or pests do not get into the cut sites. The cuts can also be processed with crushed coal to protect these vulnerable spots. Further, the shoots are left in an open place so that they dry slightly, after which they can immediately be planted in containers. They are filled with a moistened and pre-prepared substrate, which includes sand and peat. Coarse-grained sand is desirable, but you can use any that is available from the grower himself. In order for the shoot to take root as quickly and successfully as possible, it should be left in a container at a temperature of at least 20 degrees. The first flowering of these planting materials can be observed in about one and a half or two years - in general, if you follow all the rules of agricultural technology, then the flowering will be quite attractive, and the shrub itself is indeed a very interesting and ornamental plant.

Pests and diseases, Bromeliad varieties

Bromeliad is a plant that is rarely affected by fungal diseases. Moreover, it can almost never get sick with fungi such as rust or powdery mildew, although they are considered the most common. In order to cure a plant that has suddenly undergone these fungal diseases, it is recommended to spray the soil mixture with solutions based on fungicides, as well as with those preparations that have a high copper content. The flower should also be protected from direct sunlight, which can cause burns and damage. Burns appear as small brown or brown spots. To prevent them from appearing, the plant should be slightly shaded in the midday scorching sun, and the window can be curtained with a light curtain so that the light falls on the bromeliad, but is diffused.

If water stagnates in the roots of bromeliads and the moisture is too strong, then the leaves of the plant will lose their color - they will begin to turn yellow, especially if the room temperature is below the established norm.If watering is not enough for the plant, and the air humidity is below normal, then the leaves will begin to turn brown, the process will begin from their tips, and then this dryness will begin to spread throughout the leaf plate. From this we can see that the bush is mainly susceptible to diseases precisely because the florist himself violates all the rules for care and does not comply with elementary agrotechnical standards.

Due to the fact that the plant is neglected, bacteria and pests can settle on the bush, which at the same time also noticeably weakens. Most often, the bush is attacked by scale insects or mealybugs. In this case, the pests can be removed manually, since they do not have such small sizes, after they have been removed from the shrub, it is recommended to wipe the leaves on both sides with soapy water. After a while, when the bush recovers a little, it is worth rinsing it with absolutely clean water without any additional impurities, while the soil mixture should be covered with polyethylene. If it was not completely possible to get rid of the pests, then the bush is already being treated with the help of special solutions and preparations that have an insecticidal effect. Among the most popular drugs, there are such as aktara, fitoverm or actellic, which are perfectly perceived by plants, and if the instructions for use are followed, these drugs turn out to be completely safe not only for the bromeliad itself, but also for the grower himself. But still it is impossible for the preparation to accidentally fall into the leaf funnel during processing. If the gardener does not want to use chemical insecticidal preparations, then it is recommended to replace them with a tobacco-based tincture. Its aroma will repel pests, so it is perfect for ridding the bush of existing pests and preventing new colonies from settling.

I would also like to additionally talk about some species and varieties of bromeliads that are of particular interest.

• The first species is the bromeliad penguin, since of all the other species and varieties, it is this one that is most often cultivated by the growers themselves. The bromeliad penguin is native to Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela, so it's no surprise that sometimes this plant can make some demands in terms of grooming and planting. The plant contains a biologically active enzyme called penguinin, and it is due to it that bromeliads have this name. On a bush that grows in its natural environment, rather massive and large seedlings are formed, and inside there is a fruit that has an oblong shape. But still, in the society of flower growers, bromeliad is called not only plants that belong to this genus, but also other plants that may belong to completely different families, and also have practically similar external features.
• Guzmania (guzmania) is a stemless plant that can be found quite often in natural, natural conditions - especially in South Florida, Ecuador, Brazil, East India and Colombia. Bromeliads are very popular with flower growers mainly due to the fact that they have really decorative features and characteristics. The leaves have a belt-like shape, while rainwater or morning dew can accumulate on the bushes, so that they can independently maintain normal vital activity in some periods. At the same time, inflorescences include flowers that do not have any attractive or decorative value, bracts can be painted in a variety of shades - rich orange or purple, yellow or red. Perhaps it is due to them that this type of bromeliad in general turns out to be very valuable.We also draw attention to the fact that the most popular among flower growers are such species and cultivars of this plant as reed gusmania and Nicaraguan gusmania. They have their own traits and features, if we talk about the external characteristics of the plant, as well as if we talk directly about planting and caring for plants. At home, you can also cultivate species such as mosaic gusmania, tricolor and blood red gusmania. Equally popular is Ostara, the one-headed Donnella-Smith. All of them also have their own characteristic features, are very different from each other, and it is this variety that attracts the attention of flower growers to a large extent. In particular, experienced gardeners are ready for experiments, as they strive to expand their knowledge of the varieties and types of bromeliads, and therefore they are ready to take on the cultivation of a wide variety of species of this crop.
  
• Vriezia is a tropical plant that came to us from the South American continent. The inflorescences are very large and have a very bright color, while they have a spike-like shape, sometimes paniculate vriezia are found.
  
  The leaf blades are very long and juicy, gather in a rather spectacular rosette, and that is why they are very decorative. Vriese can also be represented in some very interesting forms. Most often, indoors and at home, you can grow such types of vriezia as:
  - Vriezia Sanders
  - Vriezia brilliant (beautiful).
• Vriezia Sanders is a plant that can reach a height of 60 centimeters. Moreover, it consists of a large number of rather juicy and dense sheet plates, which, due to their smoothness and shine, look very decorative. Sometimes the plates can have a silvery green hue, and sometimes purple, which also adds decorativeness and originality to the plant. As for the brilliant (beautiful) Vriezia, such Bromelia in their natural environment can be found only in the tropical forest. The rosette also consists of wide sheet plastics, their length can reach forty centimeters, while they are bright and variegated, and the surface is covered with transverse strokes, which also look incredibly interesting against the background of many other plants, and even more so species of bromeliads. Also, in indoor conditions, plants such as keeled and royal, perforated, hieroglyphic and giant vriezii are often planted, each of which has its own decorative external features and characteristics, and attract attention from gardeners and florists.
• Ehmeya - This is another epiphytic Bromelia, whose homeland is considered to be Central and South America. The rosettes have the shape of a funnel, they are formed by rather massive sheet plates. The peduncle is very elongated and powerful, spectacular inflorescences are just formed on it, which are the main object that attracts attention from flower growers. If we talk about growing indoors, then such species as matte red echmea and sparkling echmea are popular here. From the names, in principle, it becomes clear what decorative and external characteristics these plants have. In general, it should be said that ehmeya is very popular due to the fact that this plant is completely undemanding and unpretentious in care, but at the same time gives an incredibly attractive appearance and result.
• Tillandsia is a genus of herbaceous plants that includes almost five hundred of the most diverse species. The family is considered one of the most extensive among all the others. Under natural conditions, this plant can most often be found in the territories of North or South America, although now it is cultivated almost everywhere, since, in principle, it also does not impose any special requirements.Most of the species of this plant are epiphytes, but lithophytes can also be found, which can simply grow on rocky terrain and look incredibly attractive. Some species can simply be grown at home, it is enough to create the necessary environment for the plants to feel comfortable. Among these species are Tillandsia Medusa's Head and Tillandsia blue. The species and varieties are selected by gardeners according to their interests and needs, as well as according to how much they can be immersed in the floriculture process in order to care for the plant.
  

In general, we hope that this article was useful not only for novice gardeners, but also for those gardeners who already have experience in growing plants from the bromeliad species, but are striving to expand their floriculture skills and capabilities precisely by planting new types of plants. We can say that Bromelia is a very original plant, and it may not be suitable for every grower, so a more detailed description presented in this article will help a grower decide whether he wants to grow such a crop at home, or it does not represent for him absolutely no value.