Sunlight 3 - 6 hours of bright INDIRECT sunlight. Keep sunlight exposure to a minimum as leaves on these varieties will burn.
Water Prefer slightly moist soil. Avoid overwatering as this plant is easily susceptible to root rot.
The Bromeliad life cycle is all about these epiphytes’ beautiful blooms and pups. It may take up to 2-5 years for the plant to produce its striking flower. After blooming, the mother plant dies off over time, but not before its baby plants, called pups, appear first. On average, a Bromeliad lives from 2 to 5 years, depending on its specific life cycle and variety. Through the pups, the Bromeliad life cycle continues.
A Bromeliad plant blooms only once in its lifetime. Its bright flowers can last for several weeks or months, depending on the care and attention you give it. The pups start to grow around the base of the mother plant, which will eventually become new plants that carry on the Bromeliad life cycle.
Once a Bromeliad's blooming stage has finished, you’ll notice that the flower starts to brown and the pups begin to appear. Trim the old flower stalk to keep the plant neat. You should continue caring for the mother plant until it naturally fades away.
Cut off old Bromeliad flowers once they start turning brown or shrinking in size, which is a natural part of the Bromeliad life cycle. After blooming, the flower will not return, so gently remove it with clean, sterilized scissors. Trimming the spent bloom promptly helps channel the plant’s energy into the development of pups.
Bromeliad propagation and repotting the new pups help promote new growth and continuation of the Bromeliad life cycle, making it a great way to expand your Bromeliad collection from a single plant.
You should continue to care for your Bromeliad after flowering, as this will promote new pup growth. Eventually, it’s best to remove the pups when they become strong and large enough. Keep them attached until they develop their own leaf rosette..
What Happens If You Don’t Remove Bromeliad Pups?
If you don’t remove Bromeliad pups, they’ll grow around the mother plant and share space in the same pot. This is not an ideal scenario because the pups need space to grow into mature plants. So, it’s good to remove these pups and plant them in separate pots.
To separate Bromeliad pups from the mother plant:
- Wait until the pups are about one-third the size of the mother plant.
- Water the soil lightly a day before to ease removal.
- Use a clean, sharp knife or scissors to cut at the base while keeping a small clump of roots attached to each pup.
- Let the pups dry a little before attempting to transplant them.
- Fill each pot with a light, well-draining soil mix.
- Place the pup gently into its own pot and firm the soil around the baby Bromeliad.
- Water lightly with chemical-free water.
- Place the pots in bright, indirect light; maintain the humidity around the plant.
){kind=link}