| There are many different bromeliads, but their basic care is generally quite easy. They are typically slow growers, so take care not to over water or over feed it or set it in hot direct sun. They like average household temperatures and bright but indirect light, and will tolerate lower light conditions. Watering the roots is minimal in that their roots are very sparse and should not be kept too wet. Allow the soil to dry before watering again -- check it with your finger. Fertilize at a very weak strength (perhaps as low as half or even a quarter the minimum recommended amount on the label) using a water soluble fertilizer for foliage house plants. You should try, however, to always keep some water in the natural cup at the base of the plant where the foliage gathers together. (Do not use very hard well water or water that has been through a softener for this. If you have these types of water, save rain water or use distilled water to prevent a buildup of minerals or salt damage in the cup.) Eventually the plant may slowly send up a bloom stalk and then flower dramatically over a period of weeks and months. Once the bloom is faded, trim it off by cutting the flower stem at the base. After blooming you may find that there are pups or baby plants developing around the older center and the center may even die off at that time. The pups can be gently separated off and repotted to make more plants. Enjoy your bromeliad! |
