Home»House Plants»Bromeliad
The colorful Guzmania is a perennial works and a penis of theBromeliad kinfolk .
These tropic plants and epiphytic specimen come from South America , and there are more than 120 different Guzmania species of Bromeliads .
These attractive efflorescence plants produce colored efflorescence bract of yellow , orange , red or deep purple ( depending upon the species ) .
Their lean , shoulder strap - same leaves are deep green . In this article , we describe the handsome , dauntless Guzmania and share advice on observe yours level-headed and well-chosen .
Are Epiphytic Plants Parasites?
No , aerophyte are specimen with very shallow origin arrangement that serve the purpose of anchoring the plant to a tree or other porous control surface .
They do not deduct any aliment from the host tree diagram . rather , they harvest nutrition from the atmosphere and from rainwater , which collects in a central caries in the plants ’ leafage .
Where Did The Name ‘Guzmania” Come From?
The plant is named after Anastatsio Guzman a Spanish natural scientist . He did a great quite a little of travel and plant study in South America .
While travel in Ecuador in 1807 , Mr. Guzman died . Shortly thereafter , his colleagues honored him by naming this bromeliad genus after him .
What Are The Most Popular Guzmania Varieties?
The most commonly seen and most popular species isGuzmania lingulata , which is also known as Scarlet Star .
These indoor industrial plant have showy , foresighted , saturnine green , smooth margined , flat parting . In the center of the plant , the leaves take shape endearing , red bract in the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe of a mavin .
Although the bract looks like a flush , this is not the straight bloom of the plant .
Within this pretty shaping of leaf , the plant ’s true flowers form .
These bloom are very diminished and white . They are not visible at a coup d’oeil .
You have to look between the leave of absence of the bract to see them . flush may last as prospicient as four month .
TheGuzmania lingulatais fair compact and realise an excellent house or office plant . It likes consistent , well-off temperatures and humidness and does very well in smart , indirect sparkle or in stilted lightheaded conditions .
However , there are 1000 ’s of hybrids interrelate toGuzmania lingulatawith all form on figure : Rana , Cherry , Hilda , Lulu and many more . We simply call them all – Guzmania .
Bromeliad Guzmania Care
Botanical Name : Guzmania lingulata
Common Names : Scarlet Star or Vase Plant
Plant Type : Epiphyte
class : Bromeliaceae
Native Range : This plant life come from the tropical South and Central America and is quite common in Costa Rica . It has also naturalize in warm circumstance such as Florida .
USDA Hardiness Zone:10 to 12
Height Range:1′-2′
Spread:1′-2′
Bloom Time : These specimen may bloom once upon adulthood ( 1 - 5 years of historic period ) .
Bloom Appearance : The lilliputian , insignificant white flowers are usually nestled within the plant ’s colored bract .
Lighting : Bright , collateral sunlight and/or bright contrived igniter .
Water : Light to medium lachrymation and occasional misting . Avoid using tap pee if possible .
Maintenance : A moderate tier of care is needed .
In addition tolingulata , there are literally hundred of hybrids and other case of Bromeliads usable .
See the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies ’ Bromeliad Photo Index [ http://www.fcbs.org/pictures.htm ] for images of 135 metal money and 348 cultivars .
Here are three of the most popular and strange types of species :
1 – Zahniihas droop , lustrous green leave-taking that may be variegated . Some bear a light - colored stripes down the center of the leaf .
Others have calorie-free colored horizontal band on the leaves . This mintage has violent bract . Its unusual flowers are pale lily-livered and uprise on a capitulum which rise above the leaves .
2 – Sanguineahas very retentive , broad , level leaves . They run to cascade over the side of the industrial plant ’s container and cloak downwards .
This industrial plant has very pretty multi - dyed bracts . They are light chicken in the center and changeover to orange and then red in the surrounding parting . This plant tends to spread rather than rise upward .
3 – Monostachiais commonly hollo “ West Indian Tufted Air Plant ” . The leaves of this plant are an interesting shadiness of yellowish green .
The flowers produce on a spike which rises above the savorless , wide leaves . The capitulum tends to be red at the tip , and the small blossom are blank . This plant turn by nature in Florida . It is currently list as endangered because of depredation by the encroaching Mexican weevil ( aka : Evil Weevil ) .
Bromeliaceae Care: Guzmania Plant
One of the master reasons these specimens are so democratic is that they are so very easy to deal for . They can do well in low light , but they greatly appreciate bright , indirect light .
These specimens are naturally woods dwellers and should be protected from verbatim sunshine .
To water the plant , you simply place a little - distill water in the handy , natural loving cup in the center of the bract . Just commend to gargle the bract and replace the water with fresh urine periodically .
This helps prevent problems with waste . The plant ’s grease mix medium should be kept very slightly moist in the spring and summertime .
commend that these are tropic specimens , so they like a well-situated elbow room temperature . You should never allow the ambient temperature to fall below 55 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
These specimens also wish high-pitched humidity , so use of a humidifier can help keep your specimen healthier while keep you more comfortable . Light casual misting is also a near idea .
bear on : How often should you irrigate Tillandsia Xerographica?Mist the plant every duo of days and deluge it in water system for 15 minutes once per month .
Culture & Environment
What is the best lighting for Guzmania?
Ideal light : Although these specimens can bear low light and can do pretty well with contrived light , they are much happier with an indirect smart rude light .
An easterly or western windowpane is a honest choice . Monitor the plant for a day or two after localise it . Be sure that it does not welcome direct , hot sunlight because this will bite it .
Watering Best Practices
How often do you irrigate a bromeliad plant?During warm , arid atmospheric condition , keep the central cup ( aka : vase , urn or army tank ) about a after part full of distilled water .
Rinse it out about once a month to prevent bacteria buildup and subsequent rotting .
During cool weather condition , fill the vase about an eighth of the way . provide it to dry out , and countenance it stand for at least a couple of days or as long as a workweek before watering .
Remember that these specimen do not uptake nutrient through their radical , so it ’s a good idea to mist the leaves a match of time a calendar week to provide nutrients .
Water the growing metier gently as take . It should not dry out altogether , but your plant life should never stand imbrue at all .
Generally speak , a once a month watering during fond weather and once every two months during cool weather should be just about ripe .
Keep Fertilizing Light
alfresco you could fecundate with a liquid fertiliser during the growing season . Indoors fertilizer once or twice a year by mist your plant .
coalesce up a half - strength solvent using a safe calibre orchid food for thought or particularly formulated fertiliser forair flora .
Spray the leave of absence and the surface of the planting medium .
Do n’t put fertilizer in the vase because it may cause salts to build up . This can burn your specimens ’ leaves .
What Kind Of Growing Mix Is Best?
These epiphytes need a well - draining dirt - free mixture . you may use a pre - motley cymbidium substrate , orchid mix or a 50/50 combination of peat moss or coco coir and perlite .
How Do You Propagate Guzmania?
When your Guzmania bromeliads blossom , the mature original industrial plant will die back , but mass of little pups will spring up to take its space .
They will grow in a circle where the parent plant formerly stand .
you may just leave behind them in spot or cut away the dead plant matter to give them more room to farm .
Alternately , you’re able to remove them and separate them with a clean , sharp knife or razor brand .
you may then pot each one up in its own container . These “ newborn ” specimens will grow for 2 - 3 old age before suppurate and flowering .
related to Reading : How To Grow And Rebloom Your Bromeliad Guzmania
How Do You Pot/Repot Guzmania?
Because these specimen do have shallow root system , repotting is not really necessary .
A plant should be capable to be out its biography cycle per second in the same mountain , as long as you start out with a pot that is great enough to suit it and the deal has drainage hole .
However , this industrial plant will grow well in a small sens , the job is they get top heavy !
To green goddess young pups into a more suitable pot , begin with a moderately arduous container .
Weight it down further with a stratum of stones in the bottom of the pot .
The cause for this is it tend to get top - heavy as they mature . Weighting the bottom of the mess will prevent tumble .
Fill the flock nearly to the top with your specially prepared substrate and place your plant ( with its shallow roots ) on the surface of the potting mixture .
Fill in around the root word with more mixture to drop anchor it in place .
A good alternative to potting pups is mounting . you’re able to mount epiphytes on Natalie Wood , bark or other porous surface instead of using a potting mixture .
In this lengthyvideo , “ Mr. Vivarium ” provides detailed instructions on mounting bromeliads and several other interesting epiphytes to make a soil - devoid collection .
What Is The Best Temperature Range?
Remember that these are tropical specimen , so you ’ll desire to keep them in a setting with a steady temperature of 60 ° -80 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
avert permit the temperature rise above 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit because these specimen are sensitive to excessive heat and excessive frigidity .
What Is Ideal Humidity For Guzmanias?
These specimens appreciate a moderately humid environment , and you must be especially heedful not to allow your plant to dry out too much in the winter .
This can be reach by placing your plant life in the toilet or kitchen where there tends to be more moisture in the air .
Nestling it among other specimen can also help keep it well humidified .
Of of course , you could always come in the works ’s sess on a pebble tray filled with water so that the air immediately surrounding it becomes humidified with desiccation .
Adding a humidifier to your home environment will keep you and your specimen more comfortable and sound during the winter months .
How Long Do Guzmanias Bloom?
The lilliputian blooms only last a few sidereal day the colored bract that come in a wide reach of colors typically last about three or four months .
Do The Flowers Have Any Fragrance?
For the most part , the flowers are hard to see and have no odour . Even in the varieties that bring forth tiny flowers on a spike , there is no scent to the nondescript peak .
Do Bromeliads Always Die After Flowering?
The plant ( or part of the flora ) that develop the blossom die back , but this spur new emergence from the root .
Even though the ripe plant shrivels away after the long - lived bloom die back , it is immediately put back by fresh , newfangled ontogenesis .
How Do You Care For Guzmanias After Flowering?
When your plant pop off back , just follow the instructions given above for caring for encouraging the ontogenesis of the pups .
you could either leave them be on the mother plant or divide them and repot them into their own , private pots .
For more read our article on “ Why Is my Bromeliad Flower Turning Brown ? “
Is Guzmania Poisonous To Dogs And Cats?
The ASPCA considers bromeliads non - toxic to cats and dogs .
blase or peculiar dogs and cat-o'-nine-tails may find out allow crunchy and even a mo tasty . You may desire to place the plant out of scope and give them some protection .
More details on the question ofAre Bromeliads Poisonous ?
Pests, Diseases or Problems?
If your industrial plant is well - protect at bottom and is not overwatered , you are improbable to have many ( or any ) problem with it .
If you are not able to put up consistent temperature , the right lighting , good humidity levels and correct watering , you may run into problems with aphid , mealybugs and root rot .
Sac fungus ( Bipolaris sorokiniana ) can also be problematic if not well - cared for .
Rot can be a real trouble . Both root and leaf rot can leave if you keep your Guzmania too slopped .
To avoid this , you must be sure to utilize a porous , fast - draining potting medium . exert a special , controlled watering schedule . In thisvideo , TSU Extension Agent , Joellen Dimond , explains how .
If you go in Florida , you must be specially alert to the possibility of infestation by the Mexican Weevil .
Bromeliads grown out of doors in Florida are especially susceptible to this invasive pestilence . Its larvae can eliminate a plant very promptly .
To forestall an insect pest plague , it ’s a in force idea to quarantine any new plant before introducing it to your aggregation . raw bromeliads and other types of specimens should be kept apart for about three calendar week .
This catamenia of time will allow you to audit the plant thoroughly . If there are any insect eggs lurk on the plant life , they will hatch in that period of time and you ’ll be able-bodied to deal with them in a contained manner .
What Are The Best Uses For Guzmania in Design – Indoors or Outdoors
These hardy , popular bromeliad plants are the gross choice for a wide of the mark variety of preferences .
Throughout most of the United States , they are only suitable as inside specimens , but their uses as privileged specimen are many and varied .
These pretty , easy - to - please epiphytes are every bit happy in a home place setting , on your desk at the office or even in large , open , heavily traveled spaces such as office building lobbies , shopping malls , conservatories and glasshouse .
musical note : We use Guzmania bromeliad specimen and Phalaenopsis moth orchids around our star sign for inside color where specimens provide color for 4 - 5 month at a time . way to habituate Guzmanias is to create aBromeliad garden !
Potted or climb up Guzmania can be kept indoors in a controlled mood during frigid or hot weather condition and placed out of doors in a sheltered setting during mild weather .
If you live in USDA hardiness zone 10 - 12 , you’re able to use Guzmania to create interesting displays in container or even jump on on tree or other porous , stationary object .
Basically , the Guzmania can be grown successfully in any indoor setting that has consistently comfortable temperature and humidity stratum and good lighting .
Bromeliad Buying Tips
When you find bromeliad plants for sale at your local garden center , grocery memory or department computer memory , they are very likely to be a Guzmania , Aechmea orNeoregelia .
This genus of bromeliads is known for being well-situated to grow and care for , so they are very pop and very easy to find .
When shopping for these popular bromeliads , follow these dewy-eyed tips to be certain of getting a healthy works .
1 – Examine the potting medium . Remember that it should never be soggy . somewhat moist is o.k. , but too much can cause origin and cap rot quickly .
2 – Take a skillful face at the leaves . You want folio that are wet and uniformly immature . If they are droopy or have dark-brown or yellow spots , that ’s a polarity of trouble .
3 – Look for bugs . scrutinise the plant carefully for bugs that may be ambuscade between the leaves . Also see for insect eggs on the undersides of the leave .
4 – Avoid bribe the most colorful specimen . It ’s grueling to resist a plant with a shiny yellow , orangish , red or purple bract , but think of that this colour is a signboard of maturity .
If you buy that flora , it may grow sometime and die very quickly . Instead , go for a untested , immature industrial plant that will last longer .
5 – Find out when the novel specimens come . Ask when the shop gets its plant life shipments . Shop on that Clarence Shepard Day Jr. so that you may get a industrial plant straight from the nursery .
The Final Analysis
Guzmanias can convey a touch of the tropics into your abode no matter where you last . These cheerful , colourful , soft - attention specimens are both beautiful and interesting .
render just the proper setting , you could enjoy flock of goodly materialization to partake with your friend and syndicate , and these specimen make excellent natural endowment .
They thrive in any prosperous , well - lit , indoor scene with very little distance ask and very little “ houseplant precaution ” required .
It ’s easy to find Guzmania lingulata in a wide kind of shopping locus , and once you see how easy they are to spring up you may be inspire to take on the challenge and adventure of raise other Guzmania species .
NOTE : Over the past five decades of growing and play with plants I ’ve catch to know many terrific people . One such individual was Nat DeLeon one of the pioneers in hybridizing bromeliads . Natpassed away in 2015 , however , his bromeliad bequest lives on at DeLeon ’s Bromeliads .
