A Detailed Guide to Indoor Cultivation and Care of the Bromeliad (Billbergia)

The bromeliad has leathery leaves; they are jade-green and glossy, arranged in a rosette, elegant and graceful; the leaf bases clasp one another, forming the center of the plant into a tube that holds water without leaking, which is why it is called the water tower flower. Every September, it also sends up a red torch-shaped inflorescence from the leaf tube, with red flowers set off against green leaves, all the more lovely, making it a well-known indoor ornamental flower prized for both bloom and foliage.

The bromeliad originates from the tropical rainforests of South America. It belongs to the Bromeliaceae as an epiphytic plant, growing on tree trunks and rocks in its native habitat, where the tube at the center of the plant stores water for use during dry spells. The bromeliad likes a warm, humid climate and a semi-shaded environment; its suitable growing temperature is 25°C, it is not cold-tolerant, and the wintering temperature should preferably not be below 10°C. It prefers well-drained acidic sandy soil.

Potted bromeliads generally do not set seed easily, so division is mostly used for propagation. After flowering each year, the base of the plant sprouts offsets; once these are robust and mature, cut them off when repotting in spring and plant them in a medium of half leaf mold and half sand, keeping the temperature and humidity high, and they will root in about 20 days.

The bromeliad is an epiphytic plant with few roots, so when potting, the pot should not be large or deep; it is enough that the plant can be planted with a certain amount of space around it. The growing medium can be made by mixing 2 parts leaf mold and 1 part sand, or 1 part garden soil and 1 part peat, plus a small amount of superphosphate and compost. Management during the growing period is relatively simple. The bromeliad does not like direct strong light; intense summer sunlight will yellow its leaves. It grows better placed in bright, indirect light. In spring it can receive light in the early morning and evening, while shade is needed around midday and throughout summer.

During the vigorous growth period the bromeliad needs more water, but the potting soil must not be too wet. Besides watering to keep the soil moist, the central tube of the plant can also be filled with water. In winter, water less, and do not add much water to the central tube either; keeping it moist is enough. Ordinarily, spray water around the plant frequently to maintain high environmental humidity, and often wipe the leaf surface with a soft cloth to keep it clean and glossy. The bromeliad has low fertilizer requirements; applying cake fertilizer water once a month or sprinkling some bone meal or chicken manure on the surface is enough. The bromeliad itself has epiphytic characteristics and is easy to grow in water; adding a small amount of compound fertilizer or flower fertilizer tablets to the water can meet the plant's needs. In winter, place it in a sunny spot and keep the temperature at around 10°C; if it exceeds 20°C, the plant will not get its rest and this will affect growth the following year.

The bromeliad is a famous indoor potted flower prized for both its flowers and leaves. Its leaves are jade-green and full of luster, and when it blooms it sends up a columnar bright red inflorescence from the central tube of the leaf cluster, very gorgeous. For potting a bromeliad, you can choose a growing medium of leaf mold, sphagnum moss and garden soil (or coarse sand) mixed evenly and sieved, with a small amount of bone meal added as a base fertilizer. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer about once every half month, and before flowering apply 1-2 additional doses of 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, which makes the flower color even more gorgeous. Fertilization should be stopped during the flowering period, after flowering, and during the dormant period. The bromeliad commonly absorbs water through the scaly hairs at the base of its tubular water tower, so during the growing period the leaf tube needs to be filled with water; a lack of water makes the leaves lose their luster and gradually turn yellow. But be careful to prevent the water in the tube from going stale; generally about once every half month, tip the pot to let the old water flow out, then add fresh water. The amount of routine watering should be based on the surface of the potting soil showing dryness; water when it is dry. In summer and dry seasons, spray water frequently to maintain relatively high air humidity. By all means avoid waterlogging in the pot, otherwise it easily causes root rot and death of the plant. In winter the plant enters its dormant period and its life activities slow down. At this time, watering should be controlled, and it is best to keep the bottom of the leaf tube slightly moist. The bromeliad likes a semi-shaded environment; for home cultivation, placing it indoors in a spot with bright, indirect light is enough for it to grow well. If exposed to direct strong light, the leaf color easily turns yellow, reducing its ornamental value. The suitable growing temperature is 20°C-28°C; when the midsummer temperature exceeds 30°C, do a good job of ventilating and cooling. In winter the suitable temperature should be kept between 10°C-15°C, and at this time the pot should be placed near a south-facing window for care.