All the time use a pot with at the least one good-sized gap within the backside. These vegetation received’t tolerate soggy soil or standing water across the roots.
To domesticate Vriesea efficiently, preserve the next in thoughts:
Mild
The principle consideration right here is to keep away from extreme mild. These vegetation aren’t fitted to full solar, however there’s a species to match nearly another publicity, from full shade to partial solar.
Most species will tolerate a broad vary, from dappled shade or shiny, oblique mild.
Some are even tolerant of dense, full shade, and are a gorgeous possibility in order for you flowers in a dim spot.
For probably the most vibrant foliage and bract colour, purpose for brighter mild. Simply because a plant can tolerate low mild doesn’t imply it’s going to carry out finest in these circumstances.
Temperature and Humidity
Vriesea species are additionally adaptable in the case of temperatures.
Something from simply above freezing to as much as 100°F is okay, although the vegetation will solely tolerate extremes for brief intervals. A tough freeze will kill the plant.
They’re nice in low humidity so long as the sunshine isn’t too shiny and temperatures aren’t too excessive.
When uncovered to loads of solar and warmth, they’ll want extra excessive humidity to thrive. Goal for 30 to 60 p.c humidity.
Rising Medium
As Vriesea species are epiphytes, clinging to tree branches the place water drains away shortly, they want a unfastened, well-aerated rising medium, not customary potting soil.
Search for a industrial bromeliad combine, or mix your individual with equal components orchid bark, perlite or pumice, and peat moss or coconut coir.
The objective is quick drainage with simply sufficient water retention to maintain the roots flippantly moist.
Keep away from dense or moisture-retentive mixes. Something that stays moist for lengthy will put the plant susceptible to root rot.
Mounted vegetation can develop with only a layer of sphagnum moss across the roots, as long as humidity is sufficient and also you mist recurrently.
Water
Water completely however keep away from soaking the roots. The potting medium ought to keep flippantly moist, not soggy and oversaturated.
An excessive amount of moisture can result in root rot, whereas water pooling between the leaves could trigger crown rot.
That mentioned, it’s nice to fill the central tank in the event you do it fastidiously and you’ll want to flush it out each week or two with distilled water.
Be taught extra about watering bromeliads right here.
Fertilizer
Feed your vriesea with a gentle, balanced foliar fertilizer as soon as within the spring and once more within the fall. You’ll want to coat your complete plant.
Species and Cultivars
There are dozens of species however you received’t typically discover them accessible at shops. Hybrids are by far the preferred.
Basically, the flaming swords will probably be listed just by that frequent title no matter whether or not it’s a species plant or a hybrid.
Listed below are some excellent species and cultivars to search for:
Corcovadensis
When you recall, we talked about how most Vriesea species are epiphytes.
V. corcovadensis is likely one of the few in cultivation that isn’t. It’s a terrestrial sort that may develop in unfastened, wealthy soil.
You would possibly mistake the lengthy, strappy leaves for an air plant, but it surely’s not. That’s all of the extra evident when it shoots out a giant, daring gold and yellow flowering spike.
Vriesea corcovadensis
This species is finest grown in areas with temperatures between 50 to 80°F. Provided that, put together your self for vigorous progress as much as a foot tall and many offsets.
You possibly can choose up a small plant from Sprig and Stone by way of Amazon.
Splendens
V. splendens is the plant mostly known as flaming sword. It grows as much as three toes tall and two toes extensive with stable inexperienced or stripey purple, grey, and inexperienced linear leaves.
This species grows finest in temperatures above 50°F and you want to preserve the vase full always.
The flattened racemes of crimson, orange, or yellow bracts can final for months.
Splenriet
Splendid ‘Splenriet’ is a splendens hybrid that sports activities massive, engaging leaves with distinct stripes of grey and darkish inexperienced.
The orange, crimson, and yellow blooms can final for as much as six months earlier than the plant sends out pups and dies again.
That’s fairly the lasting efficiency. It likes the identical circumstances as its splendens dad or mum.
White Line
‘White Line’ was the results of the efforts of a number of breeders over a few years.
It began when Carlos Broeckaert found the primary variegated vriesea hybrid V. x poelmanii. He named it ‘Madam Carlos Broeckaert.’
Sadly, it wasn’t steady and breeding efforts from it have been failures.
Then the corporate Deroose received a maintain of the plant and tried to domesticate a steady sort – the consequence was ‘White Line.’