Bird's Nest Bromeliads (Nidularium Bromeliads) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common Problems
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Nidularium Bromeliads are popular Bromeliad varieties with a central rosette of very short saw-edged leaves (Bird's Nest) which turns bright-red at flowering time.
The leaves below the bird's nest are about 1 feet long and 2 inches wide. The usual pattern for Bird's Nest Bromeliads is a rosette of leathery, strap-like foliage. These bromeliads are favored tropical foliage plants for indoor growing.
Botanical name: Nidularium
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sufamily: Bromelioideae
Common name: Bird's Nest Bromeliads
Origin
Nidularium Bromeliads are endemic to the rainforests of South America in Brazil.
Flower
A Bird's Nest 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.
Are Bird's Nest Bromeliads toxic?
No. Bird's Nest Bromeliads are non-toxic to humans and pets. They are some of the pet-friendly plants and are safe to grow in any space where there are children and animals.
However, the leaves bear short spines which may cause physical injury if handled with bare hands. Always wear gloves when handling these plants to prevent injury.
Nidularium Varieties
The popular varieties of Bird's Nest Bromeliads are Nidularium fulgens, Nidularium innocentii and Nidularium innocentii striatum.
What is the difference between Nidularium and Neoregelia?
Nidularium Bromeliads differ from the Neoregelia Bromeliads (Blushing Bromeliads) in that they have a central rosette of very short saw-edged leaves (Bird's nest) which turns bright-red at flowering time which the latter do not have.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to acquire Bird's Nest Bromeliads for your collection? They are available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Nidularium Bromeliads Indoors
To care for Bird's Nest Bromeliads indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, orchid's potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Nidularium Bromeliads requires regular pruning to keep them neat as well as provide enough 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.
Light Requirements
Do Nidularium Bromeliads need sunlight?
No. Bird's Nest Bromeliads grow best in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight to avoid sunscorch marks on the leaves. Place it infront of a large, well-lit, sunless window.
Can Nidularium Bromeliads grow in low light?
Yes, Nidularium Bromeliads can grow in lower light for a short period only. Under too low light for a prolonged period, the growth will be slow and the bromeliad will not bloom. Therefore, if the natural lighting is insufficient, instal a full spectrum grow light to complement it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
Watering
How often should I water a Bird’s Nest Bromeliad?
Like with other rosette Bromeliads, Bird's Nest Bromeliads require 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 room temperature water to prevent cold shock as it can lead to stunted growth. Only water with chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.
Water the soil only when it dries to keep the roots moist. Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and death of the bromeliad; use a well-draing soil and a pot with proper drainage.
Temperature & Humidity
Bird's Nest Bromeliads prosper in a warmth of 18-280C. However, to bring the Bromeliad to flower requires temperatures above 260C.
Keep the bromeliad away from sources of drafts like windy doors, AC units, heat sources and others to avoid sudden flacuations in temperatures which can result in reduced growth.
Nidularium Bromeliads prefer a humidity of 60-70%. If the humidity is too low, the bromeliad will develop brown leaf tips. To stet-up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Avoid misting as it encourages fungal infestations. Maintain a good air flow to prevent pest and disease infestations.
Potting Mix
What is the best potting mix for Blushing Bromeliads?
The best potting mix for Bird's Nest Bromeliad should be rich in organic matter, loose, free-draining bark soil to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. An orchid potting mix is ideal for these plants as it provides a good airflow, drains easily which prevents rotting.
Fertilizer
What kind of fertilizer do Bird's Nest Bromeliads like?
Feed your Bird's Nest Bromeliads with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 2 weeks in spring and summer. Do not feed in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Repotting Bird's Nest Bromeliad is not necessary as its roots are tiny and are unlikely to fill the pot. Pot it in a shallow, heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as it can become top-heavy. Also provide support to help keep it upright. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Bird's Nest 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 while taking care not to cause unnecessary injury to the plant. Remove the spent flower by cutting at the base with a sharp, clean knife or a pair of pruning scissors.
Bird's Nest Bromeliads Propagation
Bird's Nest Bromeliads (Nidularium Bromeliads) propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season from offsets (pups) appearing at the base of the plant.
Propagating Bird's Nest Bromeliad from offsets (pups)
- When the 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 knife or scissors.
- Ensure the offset has some roots attached to it and plant it 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.
- Ensure the is well supported 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 Bromeliad is well established afterwhich you can begin normal routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Bromeliads from Pups.
Nidularium Bromeliads Problems & Solutions
Bird's Nest Bromeliads (Nidularium Bromeliads) common problems are drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Bird's Nest Bromeliads are caused by underwatering, temperature stress or pests infestation.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Keep the vase filled with water at all times. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, hot stoves, windy doors among others.
Pest infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Bird's Nest Bromeliads are caused by dry air, salts buildup, and use of hard water.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier, group the plants together or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas in the home.
Salts buildup: Regularly flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Use of hard water: Use chlorine-free water like rain water or filtered water.
Plant dying
Bird's Nest Bromeliad may be dying due to blooming or root-rot.
1. Blooming: If the bromeliad has bloomed then rotting and death of rosette which bore the flower-stalk is natural which happens to give room for the new plants.
How to fix it
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.
2. Root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil, if the Bromeliad has not flowered. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting leaves, rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim the brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as instructed by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you can resume watering.
- Use a pot with adequate drainage hole and loose, orchid soil to prevent it from getting soggy.
- Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.
Pests
Common pests on Bird's Nest Bromeliads are scales, spider mites and mealybugs which are common in dry air conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' recommendations.
- Regularly check between and underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant properly pruned and raise humidity to discourage the pest infestations.
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