new to bromeliads

Notoes · #1 June 21st, 2006, 12:27 AM

In February this year I was sent a beautiful red bromeliad plant and thought I was treating it properly by watering from the top down...it developed quite a few pods in the flower and lives under fluorescent lighting in room....now it is a rusty brown colour and the flower seems to have dried up ...a few of the bottom leaves are drying up too! HELP!!!! Thanks. Notoes

**Ron B** · #2 June 21st, 2006, 01:01 AM

Flowered rosette collapses to make compost for sideshoots that grow up from rootstock beneath.

**toutlan** · #3 June 21st, 2006, 11:02 AM

i have many varieties of bromeliads in my yard.as many as 10 varieties. the best part of broms' are that they shoot new plant often.one plant can be broken up into many in a very short time.at this time i have around 200 seperate plants troughout my yard.it would help to attach a pic of it.they are wonderful plants and require little maintenence.i do thin out dead under growth from time to time,usaully when separating new growth.just where gloves and long sleeve shirt.leaves are VERY spiny and WILL irritate skin.i would be happy to submit pics af some of mine if you would like.

Notoes · #4 June 21st, 2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toutlan

i have many varieties of bromeliads in my yard.as many as 10 varieties. the best part of broms' are that they shoot new plant often.one plant can be broken up into many in a very short time.at this time i have around 200 seperate plants troughout my yard.it would help to attach a pic of it.they are wonderful plants and require little maintenence.i do thin out dead under growth from time to time,usaully when separating new growth.just where gloves and long sleeve shirt.leaves are VERY spiny and WILL irritate skin.i would be happy to submit pics af some of mine if you would like.

I had no idea I could put this outdoors...but then again, this is Canada, not Florida!! Perhaps a little outdoors and real sunlight may help it too! hmmmm thanks. Notoes

Notoes · #5 June 21st, 2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron B

Flowered rosette collapses to make compost for sideshoots that grow up from rootstock beneath.

should I be removing any of the dried flower parts or dried leaves from the bottom of the pot?? It's an indoor plant, so far, since we only just got some warm weather!! thanks. Notoes

**toutlan** · #6 June 24th, 2006, 05:56 PM

yes, remove any unsightly leaves.they are just fodder as above note says.i cut flowersoff when they look bad.it will push plant to grow new.why feed a dwendling extremity i say.

**Rima** · #7 June 25th, 2006, 02:55 AM

Don't plant them outdoors where you live, they won't last long at all (and will be victims not only of the cold, but tons of bugs they're not used to).

Notoes · #8 June 25th, 2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toutlan

yes, remove any unsightly leaves.they are just fodder as above note says.i cut flowersoff when they look bad.it will push plant to grow new.why feed a dwendling extremity i say.

Thanks so much for the info...and cutting off the top makes so much sense!!! thanks.
Notoes

Notoes · #9 June 25th, 2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rima

Don't plant them outdoors where you live, they won't last long at all (and will be victims not only of the cold, but tons of bugs they're not used to).

tons of bugs for sure!!! even tho it's 75 degrees and sunny today!! but who knows what tomorrow brings up here!! Thanks for your input. It really is much appreciated.
Notoes