How to Propagate Bromeliads by Division and Common Varieties of Bromeliads

The bromeliad (Guzmania) is a fairly common plant, and just from its name you can tell it carries an extraordinary meaning. Many people like to keep a pot of it at home, not just for good luck, but many are also captivated by its striking red color. However, the bromeliad dies after it blooms, and it only blooms once in its lifetime. In this situation, learning how to propagate it becomes especially important. Let's take a look at how to propagate bromeliads by division.

How to Propagate Bromeliads by Division

1. Removing from the pot

First, tip the entire pot out together with the soil, then tap the clump of soil lightly on the ground to remove as much of the large soil clumps as possible. These can be recycled.

2. Washing the roots

Then rinse with running water, washing the soil away as much as possible so the root system is clearly visible, which makes the separation below easier. 3. Trimming the roots

Gently tease apart the tangled roots as much as possible, then observe how strong the root system is. Generally, one plant ends up with more than 5 well-developed roots.

4. Dividing the clumps

Then, based on how the roots divide, decide how many plants to make. Use a small knife to cut the upper part, keeping the cut as small as possible. When separating the roots below, slight damage to the small roots does not matter much, but keep the main roots as intact as possible.

5. Trimming the leaves

Trim the leaves appropriately; some old leaves can be cut off, just leave some as appropriate to reduce water evaporation.

6. Potting the divisions separately

Then plant them in separate pots. If conditions allow, 3 days after transplanting you can water them with carbendazim at an appropriate concentration. (Most home growers won't have this - I only watered like this when growing them in the lab, and it doesn't matter too much.)

7. Care

For the first week, it's best to keep them in a shady spot, but they need light, no direct sun.

Common Varieties of Bromeliads

Foolproof Plant (Billbergia)

The leaves of the foolproof plant are long and narrow like swords, and are green and glossy. In winter, a bright red columnar inflorescence emerges from the tender green leaf tube, about 30 cm tall, with many small flowers growing at the top. The flowers have three petals, pale yellow-green with blue edges, and the petals curl outward after opening. When in full bloom, strings of blue-green flowers stand out against the red bracts, looking especially gorgeous and eye-catching, and the ornamental period can last up to two months.

Earth Star (Cryptanthus)

The earth star, also known as the small pineapple, is most suitable for potted display. The leaves are firm and slender with wavy edges, and the colors include creamy yellow, red or purple-red. The leaf surface has longitudinal stripes radiating out like a crab's shape. The flowers are white or light green, growing in the middle of the leaf cluster to form a disc.

Silver Vase (Aechmea)

The silver vase, also known as the beautiful-leaved Aechmea and the spotted pink pineapple, has a rosette-shaped leaf cluster made up of 10 to 20 leaves, cup-shaped at the base, with a peculiar shape. The leaf tips are blunt and rounded, curling outward, green, with the surface coated in a silvery white layer. The leaf surface has irregular stored color and dark green horizontal stripes and patches. The dense small flowers open blue at first, then turn rose red, like a dragonfly spreading its wings in flight, and the ornamental period can last several months.

Golden-edged Pineapple (Ananas)

The leaves of the golden-edged pineapple are sword-shaped, curling outward, and are crisp and glossy. The front of the leaf is dark green, the edges are yellow-green, and some leaves gradually also develop varying yellow-green stripes in the middle. When it blooms, each small flower shows three colors from bottom to top: yellow, red, and purple, and it is very ornamental.

Painted Fingernail (Neoregelia)

The painted fingernail, also called the torch, is a hybrid. The leaf edges are smooth with no serrations. An upright flower stem is sent up from the center, reaching 35 to 40 cm long. The flower bracts are deep red, thick and glossy, and the whole inflorescence looks like a blazing torch. The flowering period can last up to three months, and it is also a favorite among ornamental bromeliads.

What to Do When the Bromeliad Flower Withers

1. Causes

1. If its flower is fading normally, then its life is also nearing its end. If you don't want to keep it anymore, you can throw it away.

2. If the flower is withering abnormally, it may be receiving too much sunlight. It likes damp, semi-shady areas, so don't let the scorching sun shine on it for long periods. Just place it by a bright, well-ventilated window.

3. It may also be that the flower core is lacking the water it needs. In that case, water the leaves; watering into the soil has no effect. If you sprinkle water on the potting soil, wait until the top 1 to 2 cm of soil is dry before watering again, and don't make it too wet or it will damage the roots.

2. Solutions

After the flower fades, remove it promptly; this will not harm the plant. Then give it water-soluble fertilizer, which can also be applied when watering the leaf cup. If it is a granular fertilizer, it can only be applied to the soil. Once new shoots have grown, cut them off the mother plant and plant them in a pot. After blooming once, this plant will not bloom again, but you can keep it to propagate new plants.

Caring for the Bromeliad Flower

1. Temperature

If the temperature is too low, the color of the flower bracts will fade and the leaves will turn yellow and dry out. It likes warm, humid places. During the day, 21 to 28 degrees is best, and at night 18 to 21 degrees is best. In hot weather, don't put it somewhere above 35 degrees, as this is bad for its growth. Also don't leave it in an environment of only 10 degrees for long periods, as its growth will slow down and the color of the leaves and flowers will be affected.

2. Light

Light should be within the range of 10,800 to 25,000 lux. If it is too intense, the leaves will be scorched, and if it is too dark, development will be poor. Humidity should be within the range of 75% to 85%; if it is below 50%, the leaves will curl.

3. Watering

The water used for watering should be left to sit for two or three days first, and it should be poured into its "cup", not directly onto the soil. This is because even if the soil in the pot is very wet but there is no water in the cup, the leaves will still turn yellow and growth will be poor.

The bromeliad is actually what we commonly call the pineapple flower. It is evergreen year-round, and its flowers are bright red, giving it very high ornamental value in spring. Its method of propagation by division can be carried out in spring, summer, and early autumn, so flower lovers who like it should get started right away.