bromeliads - Houseplants

vriesea carinata – lobster claw

vriesea carinata is commonly known as lobster claw or painted feather. this bromeliad has branching flower spikes. there are a lot of varieties available, in a range of colours from yellow to orange, red, violett or pink.

care

the lobster claw (vriesea carinata) is suitable for bright to light shaded places with some morning and/or evening sun.

there are special mixes for bromeliads available. but it can also be grown in a mix of regular potting soil and orchid bark (1:1) or in pure orchid soil.

keep it constantly moist but not wet, the drying of the soil’s surface will be tolerated, but it shouldn’t d dry completely. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. its reservoir should always contain some water.

in spring and summer a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly and every six to eight weeks in fall and winter.

vriesea carinata welcomes a high humidity and likes to be sprayed over with water regularly. it needs room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

after flowering the lobster claw produces a new pup. if it has reached approx. 2/3 of the mother plants height it can be cutted of.

vriesea splendens – flaming sword

vriesea splendens’ common name flaming sword is based on its sword shaped inflorescence with closely overlapping bright red bracts. the popular houseplant is also known as zebra bromeliad or painted feather. its native to south america where its growing epiphytic (sitting on trees).

care

the flaming sword (vriesea splendens) can be placed from bright with some morning and/or evening sun to light shaded.

it can be grown in a mix of regular potting soil and orchid bark (1:1) or in pure orchid soil. there are also special mixes for bromeliads available.

keep it constantly moist but not wet, the drying of the soil’s surface will be tolerated, but it don’t let it dry completely. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. its reservoir should always be filled with some water.

in spring and summer a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly and every six to eight weeks in fall and winter.

vriesea splendens welcomes a high humidity and likes to be sprayed over with water regularly. it should be grown at room temperature the year round with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

after flowering the flaming sword produces a new pup. if this has reached approx. 2/3 of the mother plants height it can be cutted of.

neoregelia carolinae – blushing bromeliad

the blushing bromeliad (neoregelia carolinae) is native to brazil where it grows epiphytic (sitting on trees). there are a lot of cultivars available with white striped, red or orange leaves. its nestled deep in the crown sitting blossom is not very showy.

care

the blushing bromeliad (neoregelia carolinae) does good on a bright location with partial sun (morning/evening). light shade will be tolerated. if placed too dark, the variegated cultivars can loose its colors.

it needs a fast draining soil. there are special mixes for epiphytic plants available. but you can also use a mix between some humus, orchid bark and a bit gritty. keep it moist but avoid overwatering. let the soil’s surface dry before watering again.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given every four to six weeks.

the blushing bromeliad likes to have some water in its crown. spraying it over with water increases humidity. it can be placed at room temperatur throughout the year with a winter minimum of 14 °c/57 °f.

propagation

neoregelia carolinae can be propagated with offsets.