Guzmania and how to take care of it

Flower Guzmania: photo

Such an unusual and exotic plant like guzmania can be grown at home if you provide it with comfortable conditions for development.

Guzmania: a description of a houseplant

Flower Guzmania: photo

Guzmania is an evergreen herbaceous crop from the bromeliad family. Under natural conditions, this plant grows in tropical forests on trunks, or above ground, in the root system of large trees.

Guzmania: home care

This plant extracts its nutrients from the soil. Its foliage is collected in the form of a rosette, it is she who provides photosynthesis, collection of rainwater and other organic elements. The root system is poorly developed, but it also has advantages:

• She can get everything she needs from the air and a small area of ​​soil;
• Firmly holds itself in place of growth.

But, despite its root system, this plant is not a parasite and does not pump nutrients from the tree on which it grows. She feeds herself.

Also, this culture has a fairly long and original flowering.

In order for the plant to be comfortable, it will be necessary for it to create the approximate conditions of its life in its natural environment.

Namely:

• It should be warm;
• The likelihood of cold drafts must be suppressed;
• Watering should be stable, but not overly abundant;
• High percentage of air humidity;
• Fertilizers and fertilizing should be applied carefully.

In its natural habitat in tropical rainforests, in the summer, the plant lives at a temperature of eighteen to twenty-four degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature drops to sixteen to eighteen. But the percentage of air humidity should always be high, especially in summer.

Guzmania: the right place

The place must be chosen such that:

• There was a lot of bright but diffused lighting;
• Away from heating and heating objects;
• No strong wind currents and cold drafts.

The best location for this culture will be the windowsills of the eastern or western direction.

If during the winter, in the room in which the flower grows, the air is too dry, then regular spraying should be carried out. It is also necessary to spray in the summer, when the temperature exceeds twenty-eight degrees Celsius.

Rules for watering guzmania at home

Since this is a tropical plant, it needs not only increased air humidity, but also a moderately moist soil. With the arrival of spring, when the guzmania begins to grow actively, it needs to provide the necessary fertilizers and stable watering. But it is important to ensure that no liquid accumulates in the pan, because this can cause rotting of the root system. In nature, this plant feeds only on natural liquid, that is, various sediments. From this we can conclude that only clean, soft, filtered liquid should be used to water this flower. It is also important to know that during the summer period the liquid remains in the core of the flower rosette. When applying top dressing, it can be added there too. The fluid in the outlet needs to be replenished as it disappears. And once every sixty days, it must be drained and replaced with a new one.

Fertilizers and feeding

In order to feed guzmania, you can opt for ready-made balanced bromeliads, or purchase a fertilizer with a low percentage of nitrogen in the composition. Saltpeter, nitrogen and superphosphate are undesirable elements in fertilizers for guzmania.

Wintering

For the winter time, the liquid must be removed from the outlet, otherwise it may rot. Watering should be done in moderation, then the foliage will remain in good shape, will not dry out and turn yellow.

Basic rules for transplanting

When transplanting and planting a plant, you need to take into account some of the nuances.

What should be the pot

For the plant to feel comfortable, the planting container should be wide, but not too deep.

Suitable soil

At the very bottom of the pot, a drainage layer must be present. The soil mixture can be purchased specifically for bromeliads, or you can mix it yourself.

Self-prepared soil mixture should contain:

• Organic humus;
• Peat land;
• Coarse sand;
• Sod land;
• Loamy ground.

All components must be mixed in equal proportions, and in order for the substrate to be loose, you need to add a little: chopped steamed pine needles, sphagnum moss and small pieces of charcoal.

How to transplant

Transferring a bush from an old container to a new one, you need to be extremely careful not to damage the root system and not to lose all root threads. It is not necessary to deepen the plant too much, but the soil should be slightly compacted.

Plant life

The life period of an adult specimen ends as soon as its peduncle dries up. But don't be upset. If you properly care for a flower, then throughout its life it will delight you with its brightness, splendor and color. It should also be remembered that small children are often formed at the very base of the plant, they can be planted as soon as they have roots. The best time for this is spring.

In order for the children to grow and develop more actively, you need to cut off the peduncle of the parent plant if it has already begun to fade. So the plant will save energy and use it for the development of children.

Separated and transplanted babies will bloom in about two to three years.

Guzmania: photos