How to Grow Guzmania (Vriesea)? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Nowadays many families like to place some green plants in their homes, and plants with strong air-purifying ability and auspicious names are especially popular with consumers, such as Guzmania and the Money Tree. Next, the editor will show you the cultivation methods and precautions for Guzmania.

Guzmania prefers a warm and humid environment. The suitable growing temperature is 21-28°C during the day and 18-21°C at night, and the maximum temperature must not exceed 35°C. High temperatures are unfavorable for growth, but being in a 10°C environment for a long time can easily cause slow plant growth and loss of color, such as leaves or bracts turning red or white. If the temperature continues to drop, it will cause the plant to die.

I. Placement of Guzmania

Air humidity should be high, generally 75-85% is best. When it is below 50%, the plant will show leaf shrinkage and curling. Light should be 18000-25000 lux. When the light is too strong, the leaves are prone to sunburn, and when it is too weak, growth will be poor. Ventilation is also extremely important. Its effect is not obvious when the temperature is not high, but it is especially prominent in hot seasons. Ventilation not only makes the plant grow robustly but also reduces infection by diseases.

II. Fertilizing Guzmania

Guzmania does not need fertilizing during the flowering period. After flowering, cut off the flower promptly and supplement fertilizer. Fully water-soluble fertilizer can also be applied along with watering into the leaf cup, but others such as cake fertilizer and granular chemical fertilizers should not be applied into the leaf cup. After small offsets grow, you can use a sharp knife to cut them off from the mother plant and plant them separately. Generally, the old plant will not bloom again, and afterward it can be used as a mother plant to propagate new plants.

As long as the maintenance location has suitable light and watering is done properly, Guzmania is generally very easy to grow. In addition, when watering, try to avoid the flower spike to prevent rot.

Guzmania blooms only once in its lifetime. After flowering, one to several offset buds will grow at the base of the old plant. At this time, it should not be divided too early, otherwise it is not easy to survive. The division method is: first cut off the flower stem from the base, then leave 5-8 cm of the old plant's leaves and remove all the rest. The base of the remaining leaves just forms a tube shape that can hold water. When cutting, be sure not to injure the small buds. When the buds are about 10 cm tall, use a sharp knife to gently cut at the connection between the bud and the mother plant, plant the small buds into potting soil made of leaf mold, and after careful maintenance for one year, they can bloom with brilliant flowers again.

III. Cultivating Guzmania

Guzmania-type flowers generally bloom after three years of planting, but it is difficult for them to set seed after flowering. They are usually propagated by division, and division is carried out in spring along with repotting and changing the soil. Cut off the suckers growing at the base of the plant, flatten the cut surface, plant them in plain sandy soil, and cover the pot mouth with a plastic bag to keep warm and moist. Place them in a lightly shaded and ventilated environment, and they will root quickly at 25°C. They can be grown in sphagnum moss alone, or in a mix of leaf mold, sphagnum moss, peat soil, vermiculite, river sand, etc. In short, the standard is loose and permeable. During the growing period, the potting soil should be kept moist frequently, the surrounding environment should maintain relatively high humidity, water should often be sprayed on the leaves, and shading should be moderate. Once a week, a dilute solution of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer can be applied, and it can be applied directly into the leaf tube. During the winter dormant period, pay attention to controlling water appropriately; just spraying water on the leaf surface is enough, and keep the environment clean and the air fresh.

Guzmania has relatively high temperature requirements. If it is below ten degrees for a long time, the plant is likely to die. In addition, during cultivation, be careful not to divide it easily, otherwise the survival rate will not be high. Watering should also be appropriate to avoid rot or even death. If you want to learn more information, please continue to follow us.