How to Use Bromeliads in Your Garden
Bromeliads are very beautiful strong plants that can survive the most extreme conditions. They are considered to be low-maintenance plants.
I have worked with these plants over the years and have come to love them. Bromeliads can add color to any environment and a unique style that cannot be matched.
Bromeliads can be used in the exterior landscape as well as interiorscapes. There are so many species of bromeliads that it is mind-blowing. There are said to be anywhere from 2000-2,700 species of bromeliads. Now let’s look at the care of bromeliads and their many uses.
Care of bromeliads
Bromeliads are a hardy type plant that is used in many aspects of landscape and interior plantscape. A known garden design where these plants are used is in rock garden designs or xeriscapes. Just click this link to learn more about xeriscapes. If you want a garden that is low maintenance then you can plant a xeriscape garden that includes plants that are easy to maintain.
Bromeliad garden design
When using bromeliads in a garden it is good to have a mixture of them, there are many of them that shoot flowers, and there are many of them with colorful designs.
A mixture is always recommended because when the blooms are gone your garden will still be able to retain its color because of the ones that are naturally colorful or have colorful leaves
These plants require very little water, It has been suggested to keep water in the center cup, this is a good recommendation providing that your plant is in a sunny location where the water can eventually dry out. Because after a while rot, frogs and mosquitos can become an issue.
Pest Problems
Pest problems on bromeliads are very minimum. This is why they are such a favorite. But the most common pests of bromeliads are aphids, mealy bugs, scales, snails, mites, and weevils. To learn more about garden pests click on this link. Garden pest and pest control.
A key to keeping your garden pest at a minimum is to meet your bromeliad requirements, such as the right amount of water, proper lighting, the right type of fertilizer, the right type of potting soil, and the right pruning methods.
Diseases control
Plant Disease can also be avoided if you apply the right practices. Practice such as not allowing water to sit in the center cup especially tap or pump water for long periods of time. Always be mindful never to use a pruner that you have used on an infected plant to prune another plant. This will spread diseases from plant to plant and increase problems.
Watering methods
Bromeliads don’t like wet feet, therefore overwatering your bromeliad plants can cause root rot. Bromeliads are somewhat like desert plants that require very little water. Make sure that the soil dries out between watering and be careful not to saturate the soil. The soil should be somewhat moist but not totally wet.
Fertilizing your Bromeliad
When fertilizing your plant make sure to follow the instructions that come along with your plant. Like I said there are about 2000-2700 species of bromeliads. Some requirements may be the same, some may be slightly different but remember to follow the requirements for your bromeliad type.
Using bromeliads on the interior
The rules are somewhat the same for growing bromeliads on the inside. The only difference that you would need to pay close attention to is the lighting requirement.
The light Intensity should be anywhere from medium to high but I recommend keeping the light intensity to medium. If forced to grow in low light your plant may not do as well.
You may need to water less when growing these plants on the inside But still, check the soil from time to time.
So there you have it! Bromeliads can bring so much color to your landscape or to your interior while keeping their beauty with very little effort on your part.
Young Pups
Young pups are the babies or the young that the parent plants produce. The pup shoots from the lower part of the parent plant and when it reaches about 6-8 inches long you can remove it with a razor or a sharp pruner. Cut the pup where it is attached to the parent plant being careful to get some root along with it.
To help the pup to develop roots much faster you should wet the end of the pups in water then apply root tone to the end part that you dipped in water, root tone is a growth hormone for plant roots that comes in powdered form which you can buy from your garden center or nursery. Place the pup in a grower’s pots anywhere from 6 inches to 1 gallon. Remember to use good garden soil.
Keep the soil moist but not waterlog and do not allow the soil to dry out because at this stage your plant is trying to produce roots, so moisture is very important.
You will know when your plant is doing well by its continual growth. Continue to watch your plant as you follow the methods that are discussed in the earlier part of this article and before you know it, you will have yet another beautiful plant to add to your garden or your interior.
So let’s get started on that bromeliad garden and brighten up our surroundings.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
I’m not an avid gardener but my mother is, and i think this post is incredibly valuable.
Creating a garden paradise is the end-goal for most gardeners that I come across and if there’s on common source of frustration that they all seem to share, it is to do with pest control.
This post introduces people to the durability of bromeliads and the potential impact that using them could have on helping to achieve their dream of an attractive garden without the stresses associated with pest attracting plants.
Great information.
Thanks for the follow and for those kind words, have a good day.