2. INTRODUCTION
Kingdom:- Plantae.
Order:- Poales.
Family:- Bromeliaceae.
Subfamilies:- Bromelioideae.
Pitcairnioideae.
Tillandsioideae.
Bromeliads are monocot flowering plants of around
3170 species native mainly to the Tropical Americas. The
largest bromeliad is “Puya raimondii”, which reaches 3–4 m
tall in vegetative growth with a flower spike 9–10 m tall, and
the smallest is “Spanish moss”.
3. ORIGIN & DISTRIBUTION:-
Plants in the Bromeliaceae are widely
represented in their natural climates across the
Americas.
They can be found at altitudes from sea level to
4200 meters, from rainforests to deserts.
Approximately half the species are epiphytes,
some are lithophytes, and some are terrestrial.
4. USES:-
Humans have been using bromeliads for thousands of
years.
The Incas, Aztecs, Maya and others were used for food,
protection, fiber and ceremony, just as they are still used
today.
Only one bromeliad, the pineapple (Ananas comosus), is a
commercially important food crop. Bromelain, a common
ingredient in meat tenderizer, is extracted from pineapple
stems. Many other bromeliads are popular ornamental
plants, grown as both garden and houseplants.
5. PROPAGATION:-
Most bromeliads will bloom only once in their lifetime.
As they age, they add new leaves from the center. At
some point, the bromeliad will no longer be able to
produce more leaves due to spacing and will begin to die
off.
Luckily, bromeliads are easy to propagate and can do so
both asexually by pup production/offsets and sexually via
seed.
6. CULTIVATION PRACTICES:-
Potting soil:- Although they are epiphytic, bromeliads
can be grown in a fast-draining potting soil. A mixture of
2/3 peat-based soil mix and 1/3 sand is a good idea.
Bromeliads can also be grown mounted to boards and
logs. These plants will need to be watered more often and
consistently throughout the year.
Light:- In general, bromeliads with stiff leaves that have
spines on the edges can tolerate much brighter light than
bromeliads with soft, spineless leaves.
7. Temperature:- Bromeliads are also highly tolerant of
temperature variations, but it should be remembered that
plants in hotter conditions will need more humidity. Ideally,
bromeliads prefer temperatures between 55ºF and 80ºF.
They should not be exposed to temperatures under 40ºF.
Watering:- As a general rule, soft leafed bromeliads require
more water and humidity than stiff leafed bromeliads. If a
bromeliad has a central cup (formed by the overlapping
leaves), some water should be kept in that cup at all times.
The root mass likes to be moist, but never soggy.
Nutrition:- When planted in the landscape bromeliads can
do quite well without any fertilizer at all.
8. One can safely use either Jack’s Classic 20-20-20
watersoluble fertilizer at a rate of one-quarter to one-eighth
of the recommended strength. Apply to the leaves as well as
in the bromeliad cup during the early, cool morning hours
and never in the sun. Flush the cups a few hours after
applying to prevent burn of the leaves.
Bringing bromeliads into bloom:- All bromeliads will
flower when they are mature. Most bromeliads bloom only
once; offsets tend to flower within 8 months to 2 years later.
Grooming:- As with all plants, the lower leaves will
decline. Remove old leaves by holding the base of the plant
and gently peeling off the old leaf.
9. Disease and Pest Problems:-
Bromeliads are essentially free of pest and disease
problems.
Scale is a problem and can be treated with Insecticidal
Soap. Fungus is generally caused by cultivation problems.
Bromeliads should not be crowded and it should be made
sure that they are in an area with good circulation (if
grown indoors, keep them away from heat and air
conditioning vents).
A popular misconception is that bromeliad cups encourage
mosquito breeding - usually the small frogs that live in
bromeliad cups eat mosquito larvae as fast as it is
produced. Regularly flushing leaves and debris out of
bromeliads will also lessen any mosquito impact.
