Bromeliads

[pikevi]

I bought 4 Bromeliads last week, each at half price. I have no idea what the colour(s) or shape(s) of the flowers are going to be.

I potted all of them today in a mix of peat, sand,sphagnum moss,bark,saw dust and a little potting soil.

Light may be a problem but I could not let it be a 'show-stopper'

I hope they will survive until next spring.

[patticake]

If you've had bromelaids before, then treat them as you have for culture.- I have brought mine to bloom after a year or so of good care. I put them in a paper bag at night with a couple of apples, when they are doing really well. It sounds strange, but there's something in the gasses that the apples put out, and the darkness- that brings on the blossoms. It's been years since I've done this, but remember great results! Good luck!

[evagentry]

I have a couple of brom. also, they are easy to care for, and there are some very good sites for them on the net, mine like to be sprayed, unlike my orchids ,it dosn't cause them to rot.

[Tobi]

Pikevi - Nice additions. I've always enjoyed this family group. However with my increasing
collection of orchids and the space some of them take up, I had to limit my additions of
these. As far as the lighting, it varies for the different types. However a general
recommendation is approximately 1,500 fc. As well, the following characteristics are
helpful in determining the light levels. Bromeliads with hard, thick, gray to gray-green
of fuzzy foliage withstand the highest light levels. Those with the soft, green, thin
leaves grow best under lower light levels. Since most can tolerate a wide range of
light intensities, including low light for long periods of time without ill effects, yours
should be fine until spring.

Patticake - Although using the "apple exposure" to induce blooming, you have to be
careful with this method. You are releasing ethylene gas to force the bromeliad to
bloom. Ethylene gas exposure can cause partial or incomplete flower abortion and
retard the growth of other plants including orchids. It shortens the bloom time as well.
Just think of the gas as an accelerator to the plants natural blooming process. I have
often wondered why in a supermart that sells flowers and plants that they have their
flower area near the produce area where the fruit are releasing this gas after a period
of time.

[pikevi]

Thanks everyone. I hope I will be able to provide them with sufficient light.

Tobi: thanks for the info. I am struggling to find romm for new additions too. It is getting tougher and tougher.

The one on the far right has paper-thin leaves and I was wondering why it was so. It feels like plastic to the touch.It has beautiful 'blood-red' pigmented leaves.

patticake: Just to elaborate on Tobi's comment on ethylene I'd probably say once the 'bud' develops you should remove the source of ethylene. It is because ethylene ic classified as a hormone ( not in the strictest sense) and once it induces flowering its function is over. [ I have read that it is used to ripen fruits as well]

Tobi's remark about flowering plants kept closer to fruit section is very interesting. I always assumed that it is because of the coolness. He raises an excellent point.