What to Do When a Bromeliad (Guzmania) Flower Wilts? Causes and Solutions

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970 0 views

A friend grew this kind of plant at home and it bloomed, with large and gorgeous flowers, very spectacular and beautiful. After some time, the flowers began to fade, and the whole green plant looked a bit run-down. He wanted to remove the flowers but worried that the whole plant might be harmed. If this kind of flower wilts, how should it be handled?

I. Causes

1. If its flowers are fading normally, then its lifespan is also coming to an end. If you do not want to keep it anymore, you can throw it away.

2. If the flowers wilt abnormally, it may be because it received too much sunlight. It likes humid, semi-shaded areas. Do not let the scorching sun shine on it for long periods. Just place it by a window with light and ventilation.

3. It may also be that the flower cup is lacking the moisture it needs. In this case, water the leaves; watering into the soil is useless. If you sprinkle water on the potting soil, wait until the top 1 to 2 cm of soil is dry before watering again. Do not let it get too wet, as that will damage the roots.

II. Solutions

After the flowers fade, remove them 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 granular fertilizer, it can only be applied to the soil. Wait until new shoots grow, then cut them from the mother plant and plant them in pots. After blooming once, this kind of plant will not bloom again. You can keep it to propagate new plants.

III. Flower Care

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, the ideal temperature is 21 to 28°C, and at night it is best at 18 to 21°C. In hot weather, do not place it somewhere above 35°C, as that is bad for its growth. Also do not leave it in an environment of only 10°C 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. 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 first be left to sit for two to three days. 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, if there is no water in the cup, the leaves will still turn yellow and growth will be poor.