Is the bromeliad poisonous? Learn about its toxicity before growing it for peace of mind
Bromeliad is also known as ornamental bromeliad, pineapple flower, etc. It is native to the jungles from Mexico to southern Brazil and northern Argentina, and is a famous indoor foliage and flowering plant. Currently popular ornamental bromeliads in our country include water tower plant, earth star, Aechmea fasciata, silver vase bromeliad, painted feather bromeliad, etc. Now let us take a look at whether the bromeliad is poisonous!
Is the bromeliad poisonous?
The bromeliad is non-toxic. The bromeliad itself is not poisonous, but the extract from the leaves and stems of the bromeliad is a prototype of an anesthetic, and the oxygen produced by photosynthesis contains a small amount of alkaloids. After a slightly longer time, symptoms such as dizziness and nausea may occur, and over a long period there may be symptoms such as hallucinations and numbness of the hands and feet. Therefore, it is best to place the bromeliad outdoors, or break off its flowers and put them in a vase indoors. This is both healthy and provides an ornamental effect.
The benefits of the bromeliad
1. Ornamental value: The bromeliad is a highly ornamental flowering and foliage plant. It is very suitable for indoor decoration, and can especially be cultivated indoors. As home gardening ornamentation, it is of very high taste.
2. Purifying the air: The bromeliad can not only absorb carbon dioxide from the air, but can also purify the air in a room. It can also absorb the radiation emitted by computers and mobile phones. This effect is similar to that of the cactus. Therefore, the bromeliad is a good helper for purifying the air.
How to grow the bromeliad
1. Soil requirements: For growing the bromeliad, it is best to use a loose mixed potting soil of peat soil, humus soil, and chopped tree fern debris. If growing it at home, it is best to use leaf mold plus a small amount of garden soil, or a half-and-half mixture of peat soil and perlite. Choosing suitable soil is the only way to allow the bromeliad to absorb water better, so the soil requirement is also very important.
2. Suitable temperature: If you want to grow the bromeliad well, then first you must understand the temperature requirements. In general, the most suitable growth temperature for the bromeliad is 20°C to 30°C. The highest temperature should not exceed 35 degrees, and the lowest should not be below about 10 degrees. If the temperature is too high or too low, it will have an adverse effect on the bromeliad, so you must grasp the temperature requirements of the bromeliad.
3. Suitable light: The bromeliad still has a certain requirement for light, which also stems from the bromeliad's growing environment. The bromeliad is a shade-loving plant, so it cannot be exposed to direct sunlight. When it is exposed to sunlight for too long, some leaves will turn yellow. At the same time, it also needs an appropriate amount of light for photosynthesis, so the bromeliad is suitable for being placed in a semi-shaded place or near a bright window, or grown indoors.
4. Appropriate moisture: According to the growth needs of the bromeliad, its soil moisture requirements should not be too high or too low. Make sure the soil surface in the pot is slightly dry. The leaf bases of the bromeliad all have a leaf cup, and below the leaf cup there is a water reservoir. Make sure there is always water in the water reservoir and that it does not dry out. At the same time, also pay attention to spraying misty water on the bromeliad leaves more often. This can also ensure air humidity to meet the growth needs of the bromeliad.
5. Reasonable fertilization: No matter what plant it is, the need for nutrients is essential. The bromeliad mainly absorbs nutrients through its leaf cups, so during the growth period of the bromeliad, apply nitrogen fertilizer once a week. Before flowering, appropriately increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote larger flowers and brighter colors. Applying an appropriate amount of fertilizer is also an essential process for growing the bromeliad well, so during the growing process, also pay more attention to applying an appropriate amount of fertilizer to the bromeliad.