The unusual-looking bromeliads are prized collections of hobbyists around the world. This stunning variety is also easy to grow. Introduce them in your garden for some colour, advises Surabhi Johri
Exotic always seems more charming and enticing than regular varieties. The same is true for the huge family of bromeliads which happen to be one of the most colourful plant families.
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, bromeliads have evolved to grow in a variety of places. Some grow as epiphytes as in air plants while others thrive on rock and soil. Christopher Columbus did a huge favour to rest of the world when he brought along the edible bromeliad - pineapple, from his new world voyage. From the family of delicious pineapple come thousands of plants that have dramatic foliage and stunning flowers.
The unusual-looking bromeliads form the prized collections of hobbyists around the world. These stunners have very simple needs, particularly the air plant category.
In a way the air plants are an inspiration because their needs are very simple and basic. All they need is humid air and sunshine to stay happy wherever they find a perch. Originally from South America today bromeliads are grown and developed extensively in Hawaii.
The huge range of bromeliads offers something for every environment. Ranging from a couple of inches to several feet large, there is one for every enthusiast. Because bromeliads do not need much they render themselves as desirable houseplants. These plants have less stem while both foliage and the flowers have high drama quotient. The root system of these plants is minimal because these rely more or air than ground. Most of the plant is actually rosette leaf in a brilliant colour or pattern.
In some bromeliads, the rosette habit of leaves form a cup also called bromeliad flask. This flask catches water and holds it both for the plant and sometimes for another living creature too.
The stunningly beautiful but deadly poison dart frog of South America lays its egg in bromeliad flask. From this centre of the rosette also emerges the flower stalk bearing brilliantly coloured flowers in red, yellow, pink, orange, blue. The flowers rising from the flask put on a show once in a lifetime and then the mother plant produces "pups" to take the cycle of life further.
The flowers are generally long lasting, from 30 to 90 days. These also produce seeds and therefore a lot of new hybrid varieties keep coming in the market.
Once the pups are established independently the mother plant withers away.
Points to remember
The fundamental thing to remember about growing bromeliads is that though these plants love moisture, a free draining medium is a must. Intake of moisture is via leaves instead of roots. This gives a great indoor advantage because one does not need bulky soil and watering.
These can sit happily in nooks or tops in attractive arrangements. Amongst the many varieties around the world, a very common genus is aechmea. Wide leaved with a long lasting showy flower, most of these are epiphytic. Still many adjust well to the humidity and sun exposure. Leaves have interesting patterns or are dual colour.
Guzmania is another very popular genus with smooth leaves but very showy flowers. Flower colour varies between hybrids. Another terrestrial bromeliad is billbergia. Smooth, speckled, striated type of leaves can be found in this group.
This is a relatively hardier one with very attractive flowers. Less than spectacular flower but architecturally formidable is bromelia genus. Brilliant but dangerously serrated foliage makes it a deserving inclusion in landscape especially if one is looking for border security.
Cryptanthus spp. grows close to the surface with range of grey to brilliantly pink zebra patterned foliage. Some even resemble deep sea creatures but with a lot of colour.
A xerophytic, colony forming terrestrial bromeliad is deuterocohnia. It ranges in size but the tiny ones can form spherical colonies that look like chiselled balls except its green instead of stone. Since it is a xerophyte, it is hardy too. Orthophytum also does well in arid conditions. The brilliance and sheer variety of foliage makes the genus neoregelia very popular. The varieties are like a bouquet of flowers. Some of the most amazing and hardy bromeliads come from genus vrisea.
Beautifully patterned leaves and elegant flower make them a very desirable option and perhaps that is why it is a more expensive bromeliad. The flower is used in premium bouquets too. Bromeliads are often mistakenly addressed as air plants. These do survive based on air quality but not all grow as epiphytes. The one genus which has given this term to the entire family is tillandsia. In an ideal environment, this group of plants can grow anywhere from a sea shell to a bathroom shelf to the telephone pole.
I remember driving along Florida coast and wondering what this moss like growth covering all the tree trunks is.
The one species that appears like moss from a distance is actually named Spanish moss. Due to its moisture holding characteristic it is used as mulch and in flower arrangements. Some have subtle foliage while others may be show stoppers.
The leaves are longer and thinner with curled tips. And all this air plant asks for is good humidity and some sun. Their freedom from need for soil makes them a fun subject for decorative adventures.
No other plant genus is as rich with variety as the family of bromeliads. It's about time you had fun using them in your gardens and homes.
(The writer is a landscape designer.)
Exotic always seems more charming and enticing than regular varieties. The same is true for the huge family of bromeliads which happen to be one of the most colourful plant families.
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, bromeliads have evolved to grow in a variety of places. Some grow as epiphytes as in air plants while others thrive on rock and soil. Christopher Columbus did a huge favour to rest of the world when he brought along the edible bromeliad - pineapple, from his new world voyage. From the family of delicious pineapple come thousands of plants that have dramatic foliage and stunning flowers.
The unusual-looking bromeliads form the prized collections of hobbyists around the world. These stunners have very simple needs, particularly the air plant category.
In a way the air plants are an inspiration because their needs are very simple and basic. All they need is humid air and sunshine to stay happy wherever they find a perch. Originally from South America today bromeliads are grown and developed extensively in Hawaii.
The huge range of bromeliads offers something for every environment. Ranging from a couple of inches to several feet large, there is one for every enthusiast. Because bromeliads do not need much they render themselves as desirable houseplants. These plants have less stem while both foliage and the flowers have high drama quotient. The root system of these plants is minimal because these rely more or air than ground. Most of the plant is actually rosette leaf in a brilliant colour or pattern.
In some bromeliads, the rosette habit of leaves form a cup also called bromeliad flask. This flask catches water and holds it both for the plant and sometimes for another living creature too.
The stunningly beautiful but deadly poison dart frog of South America lays its egg in bromeliad flask. From this centre of the rosette also emerges the flower stalk bearing brilliantly coloured flowers in red, yellow, pink, orange, blue. The flowers rising from the flask put on a show once in a lifetime and then the mother plant produces "pups" to take the cycle of life further.
The flowers are generally long lasting, from 30 to 90 days. These also produce seeds and therefore a lot of new hybrid varieties keep coming in the market.
Once the pups are established independently the mother plant withers away.
Points to remember
The fundamental thing to remember about growing bromeliads is that though these plants love moisture, a free draining medium is a must. Intake of moisture is via leaves instead of roots. This gives a great indoor advantage because one does not need bulky soil and watering.
These can sit happily in nooks or tops in attractive arrangements. Amongst the many varieties around the world, a very common genus is aechmea. Wide leaved with a long lasting showy flower, most of these are epiphytic. Still many adjust well to the humidity and sun exposure. Leaves have interesting patterns or are dual colour.
Guzmania is another very popular genus with smooth leaves but very showy flowers. Flower colour varies between hybrids. Another terrestrial bromeliad is billbergia. Smooth, speckled, striated type of leaves can be found in this group.
This is a relatively hardier one with very attractive flowers. Less than spectacular flower but architecturally formidable is bromelia genus. Brilliant but dangerously serrated foliage makes it a deserving inclusion in landscape especially if one is looking for border security.
Cryptanthus spp. grows close to the surface with range of grey to brilliantly pink zebra patterned foliage. Some even resemble deep sea creatures but with a lot of colour.
A xerophytic, colony forming terrestrial bromeliad is deuterocohnia. It ranges in size but the tiny ones can form spherical colonies that look like chiselled balls except its green instead of stone. Since it is a xerophyte, it is hardy too. Orthophytum also does well in arid conditions. The brilliance and sheer variety of foliage makes the genus neoregelia very popular. The varieties are like a bouquet of flowers. Some of the most amazing and hardy bromeliads come from genus vrisea.
Beautifully patterned leaves and elegant flower make them a very desirable option and perhaps that is why it is a more expensive bromeliad. The flower is used in premium bouquets too. Bromeliads are often mistakenly addressed as air plants. These do survive based on air quality but not all grow as epiphytes. The one genus which has given this term to the entire family is tillandsia. In an ideal environment, this group of plants can grow anywhere from a sea shell to a bathroom shelf to the telephone pole.
I remember driving along Florida coast and wondering what this moss like growth covering all the tree trunks is.
The one species that appears like moss from a distance is actually named Spanish moss. Due to its moisture holding characteristic it is used as mulch and in flower arrangements. Some have subtle foliage while others may be show stoppers.
The leaves are longer and thinner with curled tips. And all this air plant asks for is good humidity and some sun. Their freedom from need for soil makes them a fun subject for decorative adventures.
No other plant genus is as rich with variety as the family of bromeliads. It's about time you had fun using them in your gardens and homes.
(The writer is a landscape designer.)