How to Grow Epiphytic Bromeliads
The Bromeliad family is comprised of a large group of plants best known for the edible pineapple (Ananas). Many of them produce outrageously flamboyant flower spikes that almost look as if they are constructed of brilliantly colored plastic. Some even have decorative leaves with ornate patterns or turn day-glow colors before blooming. Bromeliads can grow small like the Tillandsia usneoides known as Spanish Moss. This Tillandsia grows as strings of tiny gray-white, spider-like plantlets that dangle down off of branches of tropical trees. Other bromeliads grow larger like the Portea petrapolitana which can stretch more than three feet tall. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Epiphytic bromeliads grow naturally in the small pockets of organic matter that collect high in the branches of trees. Unlike with most plants, the roots are developed primarily to support the plant and nutrition is absorbed through leaves or from the water collected in the vase formed by the central leaves. Never put anything other than water (especially plant food) into the central vase. Other epiphytic bromeliads like the Tillandsias need high moisture in the air and appreciate being misted regularly with water. Since most epiphytic bromeliads are supported by tree limbs or branches, you may need to give yours some extra support, too.
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Potting mixture should be loose and well-draining so roots don't rot. Planting them in clay pots or other breathable materials allows air circulation and fast water drainage. Some of the smaller Tillandsias can be mounted or glued to their supports.
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Bromeliads often take a couple of years before they bloom, but if yours is taking too long, you can place your bromeliad in a sealed polythene bag with an apple. The aging apple will release ethelyne gas. (Empty the bromeliad's central vase of water). Leaving it this way for a week to ten days should initiate the blooming process within a month or two.
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After blooming, most epiphytic bromeliads send up little miniature plants from the base of the plants. These side shoots are termed as "pups" and will form a clump if you don't pot them up into separate pots. These young plants will mature into bloom in the next couple of years.
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Like most epiphytic orchids, many bromeliads naturally nest in the lower branches of trees so they are used to receiving filtered sun. Give them similar conditions to those they would have in nature and your bromeliads will thrive.
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If you live where temperatures do not freeze, or have a protected area in your garden, you can grow your bromeliads outdoors. You can even hang them from lower branches on your own trees.
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Some of the more common epiphytic bromeliads you can find for sale are Tillansias, Ananas, Vriesia, Aechmea, Billbergia, Neoragalia, and Bromilia. Buy one of these and you'll find out how rewarding it is to grow epiphytic bromeliads.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Photos by GardenGates Copyright: please use only with permission or full credits
