Bromeliad Question

[Selkie]

My husband bought me a beautiful bromeliad. The last one I had suffered an early demise due to my ignorance in how to care properly for it.

Anyone know the best way to take care of it (watering, light, food, etc.)? I want this one to thrive.

[Veronica]

Good luck! I've gotten two from students recently and have not been able to keep them alive. I hope someone can help, 'cause they really are pretty. My neighbor, whose cats I take care of, has several. She keeps her in a pretty well lit area, but not direct light and waters sparingly. I did read, in my defense, that the ones purchased in supermarkets often don't make it.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Move to Florida and put it in the ground?

[Selkie]

Oak---I wish! I hate winter....

This is a really nice plant, from White Flower Farms. I have another house plant from there and it's thriving with minimal care (had it for more than 5 years). We got our tomato plants there this year and had a bumper crop (again, with minimal care).

[blackhillsbiker]

I had a bunch of bromeliads and their offspring when we lived in Wyoming. I had a big southern-facing window. I followed the suggestion to water them through the top instead of at the base. They seemed to thrive. I'll have to look up in a houseplant book how wet they like to be. I forget. They were very hardy, pretty plants. I know they like lots of light, just not directly. I hate the windows in this house. I only have room for a couple of plants. My rosemary tree (about 10 years old) died when we were on vacation from over-attention. I want to replace it but I haven't found one I like as well.

[blackhillsbiker]

This seems to be it, in a nutshell:
"Do not put your new plant in the full sun, near a hot light bulb or next to a window that can act as a magnifying glass with the sun and burn your plant. Low to bright-defused light will be just fine.

After your Bromeliad has found the perfect spot, next comes the care of your plant. The BIGGEST mistake is over watering your new plant! ! ! Remember, when your plant is in a container where water can sit and not drain, your Bromeliad can rot! Put a half-cup of water in the center of the plant known as the “cup" of the Bromeliad. Next, water the mix where the plant is in with another half-cup of water. When the mix dries out, then, and only then add another half-cup of water. In most cases, watering is only once a week, but you need to determine the exact watering cycle in your situation by checking your plant symptoms. A "'rolled" leaf indicates too little water and you need to get a lot of water fast to the .'cup" of the plant.. Likewise, when the center of the “cup” dries out, add another half-cup of water .Your Bromeliad will love a misting all over from a quart sprayer once or twice a week. Good air movement by your plant prolongs its life and health."