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
