Bromeliads in Soil-less Plantastic

Plantastic
BROMELIAD MIX

Although most bromeliads grow as epiphytes or airplants in their natural habitats, they can adapt well in pots when grown in Plantastic
BROMELIAD MIX.

It provides adequate anchorage for big and small bromeliads not meant to grow in soil. It has enough compaction to hold the plant erect, gives good aeration, good drainage, has adequate water retention, and has low pH giving your plant a suitable home to grow.

For terrestrial bromeliads,
use Plantastic All-Purpose Soil-less Mix when growing them in pots.

TOPICS

Best Potted Plants

Choosing the Pot

The Right Potting Mix

How to Repot

Fertilizing

Wise Watering

Propagating
from Seeds

Propagating
from Stem Cuttings

More gardening tips at

BEAUTIFUL BROMELIADS Exotic and elegant, bromeliads may look intimidating to the beginner. But in truth, their almost foolproof care requirements are a perfect match to today’s hectic lifestyles. Despite how they look, their water requirements are closer to that of cacti than that of other houseplants. Watering once a week is sufficient – and even less often if light levels are low or if the season is wet. ONE-TIME BLOOMERS: All bromeliads bloom only once in their lifetime, but each plant produces plantlets or “pups”. Each will grow and eventually blossom as magnificently as did its mother plant. Wait until the pups are about 1/3 to ½ the size of the mother plant before removing and potting them. The mother plant will continue to produce pups until it dies in one to two years’ time. Bromeliads, like orchids, are mostly epiphytic. Meaning, they don't need soil to grow and would be happy in a very loose, free-draining potting mix, or mounted on fern slabs or driftwood. Good thing Plantastic BROMELIAD MIX was developed specifically with these exotic flowers in mind. The free-draining soil-less potting mix provides adequate support for bromeliads big and small, while giving it the perfect environment in which to grow. CARE: Bromeliads hate “wet feet” so make sure to remove any excess water that may drain out onto any saucers or decorative pots they may be standing in. Too much water on the roots easily leads to root rot. Keep water in the cup-like structure formed by its leaves. To prevent stagnation, replace the water every few weeks. Feeding requirements vary. LIGHT: Light requirements differ but the general rule is, the stiffer the leaves, the brighter the light. Offer bright but not direct sun to billbergia, tillandsia and neoregelia. Give medium filtered light to guzmania, vrisea and nidularium. However, the most famous bromeliad, the pineapple, is a sun-lover. BACK TO TOP
AECHMEA range in size from a very tiny 15cm to more than 3 meters in height and 2 meters in diameter. Plants which will ultimately be very large may be weighted down with rocks at the bottom of the pot. Aechmea bear large inflorescences with brightly-colored, long-lasting bracts that display many tiny flowers. Leaves are generally rather stiff and form attractively tall, tubular vase shaped rosettes to hold water. In dry seasons, this excess supply of water aids in the plant's survival. Make sure the leaves are always filled with fresh water. BACK TO TOP
ANANAS is the family to which the edible pineapple belongs. There are many Ananas bromeliad types; the leaves can be striped and have beautiful colors like pink or creamy white. The inflorescence rises from the center of the plant and forms a fruiting head, which can be cut off and planted to form new suckers. These plants can be grown indoors, but most varieties prefer to be in full sun. Pots should be large enough to accommodate a substantial root system. Ananas are terrestrial, so use Plantastic All-Purpose Soil-less Potting Mix. BACK TO TOP
BILLBERGIA can grow pretty fast. They are frequently cascading, but can be upright having a variety of colors such as purple, blue, yellow, green or white. Billbergias form two different root systems. Plants potted in a mix will form a root system that is adapted to taking up water and nutrients from the soil. Plants mounted on wood or bark will put out a set of tough strong roots adapted to holding the plant secure, but they will not be able to absorb water and nutrients. BACK TO TOP
		CRYPTANTHUS have no stems and are grown for their colorful leaves. Cryptanthus come in vibrant shades of bronze, pink, red, green, brown, and other combinations. Because of their small size, they are ideal for indoor gardening. These are terrestrial bromeliads, so grow in Plantastic All-Purpose Soil-less Potting Mix. When watering, soak potting mix thoroughly and let dry before watering again. Misting doesn’t help these plants because their leaves lack the ability to absorb water and nutrients. BACK TO TOP
GUZMANIA require typically low light levels, warm temperatures with high humidity and good ventilation -- perfect for Philippine homes! Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight. Water only when the potting mix is dry. When dry, water thoroughly but never let it stand in water. Leaving water in the saucer it's standing on can lead to root rot. These plants feed on deposits in the cup formed by their leaves so allow water to run into the cup of the plant. BACK TO TOP
			NEOREGELIA are somewhat more dependent on strong light to develop deep, vivid colors in their leaves. They can withstand some gentle direct sunlight, like morning sun. Neoregelia are airplants that use their roots for support; somewhat lower, broader plants than some of the other bromeliads, they are less likely to topple over in their pots. Keep water in the central cup. Change water frequently with clean water to prevent odor and bacteria.. BACK TO TOP
NIDULARIUM are medium-sized airplants with inflorescences forming low in the center of the rosettes. At flowering time the collaret of shortened inner leaves turns bright red, rose or cerise, depending on the species. Looks wise, they resemble Neoregelias; hence the two are often confused for each other. Nidularium get its name from the Latin word, "nidus", meaning nest, which refers to the nest-like arrangement of short leaves that appears in the center of the plant just before it blooms. BACK TO TOP
	TILLANDSIA is the largest genus in the bromeliad family, with over 540 speices. All tillandsia are naturally epiphytic air plants that grow by clinging to trees and extracting excess moisture from the air. You can grow them on slabs and tree branches, giving them enough water, with indirect sunlight, proper ventilation, or in a pot that drains properly, using Plantastic Bromeliad Mix. Tillandsias can be wonderfully rewarding plants—their leaves often blush amazing colors before a bloom. A well-kept collection looks like a healthy coral reef. BACK TO TOP
VRIESEA come in different sizes, ranging from 5 inches to 5 feet tall. They are divided into plants that are grown primarily for their foliage and those that are prized for the flat, brightly colored flower spikes. These bromeliads are epiphytes closely related to the tillandsia, which is especially apparent in their flower structure. Tilladsia do well in indirect light and can be grown in stronger shade conditions than many other kinds of bromeliads. However, the foliage forms will develop better color with slightly brighter light. Fill central cup with clean water. BACK TO TOP