New and Unread Tree-Mails
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 yellowthumb0220 Feb 6, 2020 12:51 PM CST |
Hello! I got this as a gift but have no idea what kind of plant it is or how to care for it. Also theres a small circular and brownish bubble kind of thing on one of the leaves and Im not sure why the leaf is like that. Any help is truly appreciated! |
Name: Gina Florida (Zone 9a) Tropical plant collector 35 years     Gina1960 Feb 6, 2020 1:10 PM CST |
| Its a Cryptanthus bromeliad. Pot in orchid bark or other loose draining substrate. Water the cup in the middle, not the soil. Mist the leaves. Bromeliads have specialized cells in the cup and on the leaves to absorb water. Substrate that is too moist can cause rot Award winning beaded art at ceinwin.deviantart.com! |
Name: Lin Vosbury Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)             plantladylin Feb 6, 2020 1:50 PM CST |
Hi yellowthumb0220,  I agree, your little plant is a variety of Cryptanthsus, which is a terrestrial plant that grows in soil, unlike other Bromeliads that grow as epiphytes on branches and in crooks of trees. Cryptanthus do best in shallow pots, with a well draining potting soil and they are also popular terrarium plants. Given high light, your plant will attain more color, just be careful of extended periods of direct sun, which can burn the foliage. Keep the soil moist but not soggy wet. Here's a link to the plant in our database where you'll find growing information and can view member photos: Earth Star (Cryptanthus bivittatus) More information about care and culture on these pages. http://bromeliadsocietyhouston... https://www.bromeliads.info/cr... ~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt! ~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot! |
yellowthumb0220 Feb 6, 2020 2:59 PM CST |
| Wow thank you so much for all this information! I've been watering the soil all this time 🤦🏻♀️ Only thought to ask the interwebs how to care for it after having it for a couple months already. I knew I must have been doing something wrong. Thank you again! |
yellowthumb0220 Feb 6, 2020 3:04 PM CST |
One more question! So you know what this brown spot might be...?  |
Name: tarev San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b) Stay Home-Save Lives-Wear a Mask!            tarev Feb 6, 2020 3:21 PM CST |
Gina1960 said:Its a Cryptanthus bromeliad. Pot in orchid bark or other loose draining substrate. Water the cup in the middle, not the soil. Mist the leaves. Bromeliads have specialized cells in the cup and on the leaves to absorb water. Substrate that is too moist can cause rot My understanding with this type of bromeliad since it is more terrestrial growing, is to water the media not the rosette. So I do that to mine, and it does thrive nicely that way. I added pumice and some fine lava rock into my potting mix so it really makes media very well draining, so it does not rot the roots as well. |
Name: tarev San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b) Stay Home-Save Lives-Wear a Mask! tarev Feb 6, 2020 3:22 PM CST |
yellowthumb0220 said:One more question! So you know what this brown spot might be...? Where did you position your plant before? Did you happen to get it into too much sun? |
yellowthumb0220 Feb 6, 2020 10:35 PM CST |
tarev said: I have my plants all indoors with a grow lamp because its constantly rainy and dark where I live. This plant was given to me with the dark spot though. I guess it has lived well for a couple months so I wasn't sure if it was something to be concerned about or not. |
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