How to Grow, Care and Propagate Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads)
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Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads) require bright light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Neoregelia Bromeliads are foliage Bromeliad plants varieties with a central rosette of saw-edged leaves which turns bright red at flowering time.
Like in Nidularium Bromeliads, the usual pattern in Blushing Bromeliads is a rosette of leathery, strap-like foliage. They bear glossy, saw-edged leaves which are about 1 feet long.
Blushing Bromeliads are some of the best plants for the home on account of their ease of care and their delightful foliage which will add a splash of color in any space.
Botanical name: Neoregelia
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sufamily: Bromelioideae
Common name: Blushing Bromeliads
Origin
Neoregelia Bromeliads are native to the rainforests of South America.
Flower
Blushing Bromeliad may take 3-5 years to reach the flowering stage but the display may last upto 6 months. Once the flowering is over, the rosette of leaves begins to die and is replaced by offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be used to propagate new plants.
Toxicity
Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads) are non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plants are safe to grow indoors. However, the leaves bear short spines which may cause physical injury if handled with bare hands. Always wear gloves when handling this bromeliad to prevent injury.
Related: 15 Indoor Plants that are Safe for Cats and Dogs
Varieties
The most common of the Blushing Bromeliads is Neoregelia carolinae tricolor (Blushing Bromeliad) which blushes at the center when about to flower. With age the foliage becomes suffused with pink.
Neoregelia spectabilis (Fingernail Plant) is another of the Neoregelia Bromeliads which reddens at the leaf tips during flowering. Another popular variety is Neoregelia carolinae marechalii which displays magnificent colors from rosy red to vermilion or reddish purple and fading towards the tips at flowering.
Neoregelia Bromeliads differ from Nidularium Bromeliads (Bird's Nest Bromeliads) in that the latter have a central rosette of very short saw-edged leaves (Bird's nest) which turns bright-red at flowering time.
Where to Buy
Blushing Bromeliads are a perfect addition for your collection. Check them out on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Neoregelia Bromeliads Care Indoors
Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads) grow best in bright light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, orchid's potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Neoregelia Bromeliads require regular pruning to keep them neat as well as provide space for the growth of pups. Repotting is not necessary as they have a small root system and once they flower, they die and leave behind pups. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Neoregelia spectabilis (Fingernail Plant)
Watering
Like with other rosette Bromeliads, Blushing Bromeliad requires the central 'vase' to be filled with water at all times. Empty and refill the 'vase' regularly to prevent growth of bacteria which may cause the water to become smelly.
Use only chlorine-free water as these bromeliads are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals that may be dissolved in water.
Water the soil only when it dries to keep the roots moist. Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the Bromeliad.
Light Requirements
Blushing Bromeliads grow best in bright light but away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves.
If the natural lighting is not adequate, you can grow the bromeliad under a grow light to supplement the light. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Occasionally rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives adequate light on all sides for even growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for growing Blushing Bromeliad indoors is an average warmth of 18-280C. However, to bring the bromeliad to flower requires temperatures above 260C.
Blushing Bromeliad requires a humidity of 60-70% to thrive. If the humidity is too low, the plant develops brown leaf tips. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Always make sure that there is good air circulation to prevent pest and disease infestations. Learn more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizer
Feed Blushing Bromeliads with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 2 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and it may lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Mix
The best soil for Blushing Bromeliads should be rich in organic matter, loose, free-draining, bark soil to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Orchid potting mixes are ideal for these Bromeliads.
Repotting
Repotting Blushing Bromeliad is not necessary as its roots are tiny and are unlikely to fill the pot. Pot the bromeliad in a shallow, heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as it can become top-heavy. Provide support to help keep it upright and prevent it from toppling over as it can become top-heavy. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Blushing Bromeliad involves removal of dead leaves to keep the plant neat and to allow adequate room for the new plants to grow. Remove the dead foliage by cutting at the base with a sharp, clean knife or a pair of scissors. Remove the spent bloom by cutting at the base with a sharp, clean knife or a pair of pruning scissors.
Propagation
Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads) propagation can be done from offsets (pups) appearing at the base of the plant.
How to propagate Blushing Bromeliads from offsets (pups)
When the Blushing Bromeliad offset (pup) is several months old or 1/3 to 1/2 the height of mother plant, separate it from the mother by cutting with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors.
Ensure the offset has some roots attached to it and plant the offset shallowly in loose, free-draining, bark soil.
Use a shallow heavy pot to prevent the Bromeliad from toppling over as it can get top-heavy.
Give it good support to prevent it from toppling over as its has a small root system.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place until the new Blushing Bromeliad is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Related: How to Propagate Bromeliads from Pups (Bromeliad Propagation from Pups)
Neoregelia carolinae tricolor
Neoregelia Bromeliads Problems
Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads) problems are brown leaf tips, drooping leaves, leaf patches, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
Blushing Bromeliad pests; scales and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Check out our guide on how to identify and control houseplants pests.
Dark, soft, drooping, long leaves
Blushing Bromeliad dark, soft, drooping, long leaves are due to inadequate light (too low light). Move the bromeliad to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Bromeliad dying
Blushing Bromeliad dying is due to two possible reasons. One reason is, if the Bromeliad has not flowered, the cause of death is root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil due to poor drainage.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy. Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Black or brown mushy roots indicate root-rot. Learn how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
The second reason is, if the Neoregelia Bromeliad has flowered then rotting and death of rosette which bore flower-stalk is natural to give room for the new plants. Remove the dead foliage by cutting at the base with a clean knife or a pair of scissors to create space for the new plants.
Brown leaf tips
Blushing Bromeliad brown leaf tips are due to too dry air (low humidity. The plant requires a humidity of 60-70% to thrive. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Pale brown leaf patches
Blushing Bromeliad pale brown leaf patches are due to exposing the plant to direct sunlight. The Bromeliad does not like to be exposed to direct sunlight. Shield it from direct sunlight or move it to a shadier spot away from direct sunlight.
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