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
