How to Pot Bromeliads
Bromeliads are stiff-leaved, tropical plants with vase-like, water-holding shapes. Pineapple is the best-known member of the bromeliad family, but smaller, flowering bromeliads are sold as houseplants. Each bromeliad species produces an exotic, brightly colored flower or inflorescence that lasts several weeks. Bromeliads continuously form small offsets (pups) at their base. As the bromeliad pups grow, they replace the main plant, which dies after flowering. Remove and repot the pups to increase or share your bromeliad stock. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose your potting soil. Bromeliads need excellent drainage to prevent root rot. You can buy special bromeliad potting soil or make your own by mixing equal parts sphagnum moss and coarse sand.
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Prepare your work area. Spread newspaper on a table or counter top to protect your work surface.
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Prepare the new pot. Bromeliad roots do not require much space. Select a 4- to 6-inch pot with drainage holes. Place rocks or gravel in the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage. Fill the pot with moistened soil and create a hole for your new plant.
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Remove the mother bromeliad from its old pot. Place the pot on the newspapers and tip the pot onto its side. Gently pull the plant from its pot and shake off as much dirt as possible to expose the roots of mother and pup.
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Use a sharp knife to cut the pup away from the mother plant. Make the cut as far along the new plant's base as needed to include a cluster of roots.
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Place the pup in the prepared pot, add more soil to stabilize the plant and tamp the soil down firmly. Water thoroughly. Continue to water weekly but do not let water accumulate in the drip tray.
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References
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