I bought this bromeliad (no ID) at Walmart yesterday and the potting mix is very wet and the tube was wet also. When is it safe to re-pot in a better mix? Also is a mix of orchid and all-purpose potting soil the way to go for bromeliads? Also what's the best light when keeping as a houseplant? I've read filtered bright light to partial shade?

I decided to repot it today and I'm glad I did because when I took it out of the pot it was in regular potting soil with a little moss mixed in and it was soaked. I was able to squeeze water out of the lump of dirt. I replanted it in orchid mix and filled the cups till just a little water ran over into the mix. It drained through in about 10 min. I hope I did the right thing. I feel it has a better chance of surviving now.

Oh my. Yes, typical Walmart watering. Water until it forms a soggy brick. I always re-pot ASAP when that happens. Good job! It's very pretty!!

I haven't owned a bromelaid but I remember someone in a store buying around 20 of them to decorate an office. She said they were super easy plants and was so excited about them. I wish I could remember what she said about lighting, but I usually start plants in a little brighter location than recommended to see how they do. I think it's easier to back off the sunlight than to fix a plant that not getting enough light (less light tends to lead to bugs because the plant is too stressed).

Thanks Alyssa. That's a good point about the lighting! Right now it's getting bright indirect sunlight. I was nervous about repotting when it is in bloom but more afraid it would rot. This is my first bromeliad so I hope it'll do well.

The only minus about bromiliads is that, once the flower fades--the plant
is not going to make another one--ever.
You can still enjoy the foliage--some of them are gorgeous--but then have to wait
a few years for thew "pups" (basal offshoots) grow to a mature size to bloom.
By then--mama bromiliad will look very wasted as it's life is over.

The "Pups" grow slowly--but when they have reached a mature size, you can,
carefully, dig down and remove the rooted pup. Make sure it DOES have
a root system before you pot this up.
Then the wait begins to see if and when it will bloom.
Putting a mature sized new bromilad in a clear plastic bag with a couple ripe apples
"MAY" hurry it up. Ripening apples exude ethylene gas that helps plants ripen.

I am sure you have seen bananas or peaches get ripe really soon if you also
have apples in your fruit bowl.
After about 3 weeks or so--remove the Bromiliad and put it where you would normally
keep it. With any luck--it will make a bloom bud....soon?

As you can see--bromiliads are not easy houseplants to have long term.
They ARE gorgeous as long as they bloom though.

Good luck, Gita

Thanks Gita! Yes, I had read that broms only have one flower and then they concentrate on producing pups. You answered the questions I had about pups concerning when to separate them from the mother! I am fascinated to watch the whole process unfold.

Congrats on saving your Brom! Silly Walmart.

Bromeliads can and do form beautiful clusters of flowering plants. I never separate my pups out (unless I'm gifting or selling one). Multiple types of bromeliad keep the mother for a long long while after bloom, and by the time the mother fades, it has already been taken over by multiple beautiful new plants. I have multiple different varieties of bromeliad and I have never been disappointed by any of them. I consider them to be the phoenix of the plant world. Maturity, beautiful flower show, death, and rebirth all in the same plant. Always growing stronger and 'wiser' with each passing. I hope you enjoy your first plant! They are slow growers, but they are well worth the minimal care! If you decide to leave the pups attached, after a few "cycles" you hardly notice the wait, because the flowers do last for so long.

That's very encouraging, James. Your bromeliad clusters are beautiful! I think this is going to be a fun journey! Thanks.

I usually start mine out as beautiful flowering houseplants, and when the bloom fades, and pups start to emerge, I transition them to the outdoors, and eventually end up getting a new variety for my kitchen. The process has repeated itself 6 times now. So, be careful! That's how I ended up with so many!

James--
Thank you for your more experienced advice.
However-you live in TX (z9b) and I live in MD, z7a.
Gardening here is a bit more difficult. We have to bring planst is for the winter.

I have had 2 Clivias for years--and they too spend their winters in my Shop
with very little light and almost NO water. they still bloom every year!

I also grow 2 diffident Brugmansias. Dr. Seuss and a "Maya'. They get cut back in October--
cuttings rooted for next year--OR--mama plants, cut back, and allowed to go dormant
in my Shop to live again the following spring. Been doing this for years!!

I also work in a local Home Depot in the Garden Dept. Going on 10 years now.
When customers want to buy a beautiful, in bloom, Bromiliad--I have to fill them in
on the Brom's life cycle. The saddest thing they get to hear is that this same plant will
never bloom again. Then I explain about the "pups"...and the cycle of them--
and to the customer--it always seems like too much work.
Then--I end up saying that with some--even when the bloom dies off--
you can still enjoy the nice, colorful foliage. I try to be honest. It educates the buyer as well.
Gita

My bromeliads I saved from Walmart soggy soil! Everything I have researched about them says bright filtered light and only water through the cup not the plants soil. So far it's worked and I even have a pup! My first bromeliads also, this could be an addiction!

You are well on your way, Kim. Its a good addiction though.