What's the best way to care for bromeliads?

Carlos Pineda · 11-20-2009, 01:35 AM

I see there is still much to learn in this hobby but I enjoy the challenge.

My viv has many healthy pothos plants, it's not as spectacular as others but its doing the job. I do have one bromeliad in it and would like to get more, but the flower never blossomed it seems to have died( I felt bad for it man.)The leaves seem all well nice and green and standing up. What do I do? clip the dead flower? Will it kill its leaves if I do? Do I remove the whole plant?

The brom. is in the soil I wonder if I drowned it perhaps? Is the soil no good since its only cocofiber substrate covered with a little sphagnum moss?

I also seen broms tied down to pieces of driftwood or other so called woods. Is that a better way and how is it done? That is why I got only 1 brom. just to see if it would survive before I got other plants and maybe lose them. Kinda trial and error thing. Help is greatly appreciated as always.

Knoxter · 11-20-2009, 02:03 AM

Hi Carlos,

I'm no expert when it comes to plants, but I would say it's safe to clip the flower. The flower was only for your pleasure anyway. The frogs could care less.

Actually I have purchased many broms at reduced prices because the flower was dead. I usually use a pair of Tin Snips or wire cutters and cut it close to the base. Also, I only had a few of my broms and orchids bloom in a viv. I think the key is air movement. I had a small computer fan circulating the air in the upper part of the tank, where the blooming plants were. It was a pleasent, but unsuspected surprise. Keep in mind, although it's warm and humid in the tropical reagions where most broms grow, the air still moves freely.

I think it may help if you could post a pic of the plant, and hopefully someone who is an expert could chime in.

atlfrog · 11-20-2009, 08:59 AM

A trick someone taught me was to take tooth picks and cross them while pinning the plant close to the background, if you have cork board or something like it. You have to make sure the plant doesn't touch the background directly. Eventually the roots will take root with no harm no foul.

Another idea is to take a clip with a suction cup, and the plant will anchor itself to the side of the glass.

http://img.thefind.com/images/SQB7J3...QzMAAA?m=1&g=1

Hope that helps.

Carlos Pineda · 11-20-2009, 10:49 AM

Thanks cool cats for the feedback. I will attempt to clip the dead flower(so sad) but you guys are right the leaves is where my frogs like to chill at.

atlfrog · 11-20-2009, 11:13 PM

The rotting of the roots is something you need to worry about most. If that goes the plant goes.

11-20-2009, 01:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Carlos Pineda Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 48 Real Name: Carlos Pineda	What's the best way to care for bromeliads? I see there is still much to learn in this hobby but I enjoy the challenge. My viv has many healthy pothos plants, it's not as spectacular as others but its doing the job. I do have one bromeliad in it and would like to get more, but the flower never blossomed it seems to have died( I felt bad for it man.)The leaves seem all well nice and green and standing up. What do I do? clip the dead flower? Will it kill its leaves if I do? Do I remove the whole plant? The brom. is in the soil I wonder if I drowned it perhaps? Is the soil no good since its only cocofiber substrate covered with a little sphagnum moss? I also seen broms tied down to pieces of driftwood or other so called woods. Is that a better way and how is it done? That is why I got only 1 brom. just to see if it would survive before I got other plants and maybe lose them. Kinda trial and error thing. Help is greatly appreciated as always.

11-20-2009, 02:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Knoxter Administrator/SiteOwner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 430 Real Name: Marc Knox	Hi Carlos, I'm no expert when it comes to plants, but I would say it's safe to clip the flower. The flower was only for your pleasure anyway. The frogs could care less. Actually I have purchased many broms at reduced prices because the flower was dead. I usually use a pair of Tin Snips or wire cutters and cut it close to the base. Also, I only had a few of my broms and orchids bloom in a viv. I think the key is air movement. I had a small computer fan circulating the air in the upper part of the tank, where the blooming plants were. It was a pleasent, but unsuspected surprise. Keep in mind, although it's warm and humid in the tropical reagions where most broms grow, the air still moves freely. I think it may help if you could post a pic of the plant, and hopefully someone who is an expert could chime in. __________________ Marc My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI. I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

11-20-2009, 08:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
atlfrog Site Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ATL, GA, USA Posts: 396 Real Name: Matthew "Merek" Preferred.	A trick someone taught me was to take tooth picks and cross them while pinning the plant close to the background, if you have cork board or something like it. You have to make sure the plant doesn't touch the background directly. Eventually the roots will take root with no harm no foul. Another idea is to take a clip with a suction cup, and the plant will anchor itself to the side of the glass. http://img.thefind.com/images/SQB7J3...QzMAAA?m=1&g=1 Hope that helps. __________________ Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish

11-20-2009, 11:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
atlfrog Site Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ATL, GA, USA Posts: 396 Real Name: Matthew "Merek" Preferred.	The rotting of the roots is something you need to worry about most. If that goes the plant goes. __________________ Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish

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11-20-2009, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Carlos Pineda Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 48 Real Name: Carlos Pineda	Thanks cool cats for the feedback. I will attempt to clip the dead flower(so sad) but you guys are right the leaves is where my frogs like to chill at.