Flaming Sword Bromeliads (Vriesea Bromeliads) Care Indoors, Propagation and Common Problems
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Flaming Sword Bromeliads (Vriesea Bromeliads) grow best in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Vriesea Bromeliads are typical Bromeliad varieties with a central vase surrounded by a rosette of arching, smooth-edged leaves about 1-1.5 feet long and an upright, sword-like, 2 feet long, flower-head with bright red bracts.
Some species of Vriesea Bromeliads like Vriesea hieroglyphica and Vriesea fenestralis are grown more for their striking foliage rather than for their blooms. Flaming Sword Bromeliads are among the best plants for the living room where they will create a great first impression.
Botanical name: Vriesea
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sufamily: Tillandsioideae
Common name: Flaming Sword Bromeliads
Origin
Vriesea species are widespread over Mexico, Central America, South America and West Indies where they grow as epiphytes on trees The genus name "Vriesea" is in honour of Willem Hendrik de Vriese, a Dutch Botanist and Physcian (1806-1862).
Flower
Flaming Sword Bromeliads 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.
Varieties
The most common species of Vriesea Bromeliads is Vriesea splendens which bears all-red, sword-like flower-head.
Other types of Flaming Sword Bromeliads generally have more spreading flower-heads; they include the all-red Vriesea vulcana, maroon and yellow Vriesea favorite, red and yellow Vriesea carinata and yellow Vriesea rodigasiana.
Some species of Flaming Sword Bromeliads are grown for their striking foliage like Vriesea hieroglyphica and Vriesea fenestralis.
Toxicity
Flaming Sword Bromeliads are non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow in the home.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Vriesea Bromeliads to your collection to elevate your home decor, check them out online on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Flaming Sword Bromeliad Care Indoors
Flaming Sword Bromeliad flourishes in bright indirect light, average warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, orchid's potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Vriesea Bromeliad care requires pruning to keep it neat and also allow adequate room for the new plants to grow. Repotting may not be necessary as it has a small root system. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Like with other rosette Bromeliads, Flaming Sword 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 only chlorine-free water for Vriesea Bromeliads as they are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals that may be dissolved in water.
Moisten 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
Flaming Sword Bromeliad grows best in bright indirect light (dapped light). Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.
Vriesea Bromeliad can also grow under a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for Flaming Sword Bromeliad is an average warmth of 18-260C. However, to bring the bromeliad to flower requires temperatures above 260C. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid temperature flactuations.
Vriesea Bromeliad requires a humidity of 60-70%. If the humidity is too low, it may cause the plant develop to brown leaf tips and may become stunted. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ensure that there is good air to minimize fungal diseases.
Potting Mix
The best potting soil for Flaming Sword Bromeliad should be rich in organic matter, loose, free-draining bark soil to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most orchid potting mixes are ideal for this bromeliad.
Feeding
Feed your Flaming Sword Bromeliad with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 2 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and it may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repotting Vriesea 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. To help keep the bromeliad upright, provide it with support like a moss pole. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes and saucer on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Flaming Sword Bromeliad involves removal of dead leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy 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 with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors.
Propagation
Flaming Sword Bromeliads (Vriesea Bromeliads) propagation can be done from offsets (pups) appearing at the base of the plant.
Flaming Sword Bromeliads propagation from offsets (pups)
When the Flaming Sword 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 knife or 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.
Make sure that the bromeliad 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 Vriesea Bromeliad is well established after which you can begin normal routine care.
Related: How to Propagate Bromeliads from Pups (Bromeliad Propagation from Pups)
Vriesea Bromeliads Problems with Solutions
Flaming Sword Bromeliad (Vriesea Bromeliads) problems include pests, plant dying, root-rot, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, leaf patches among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
Common pests in Flaming Sword Bromeliads are scales and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with horticultural oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Plant dying
If the Flaming Sword Bromeliad has not flowered, the cause of death is root-rot due to soggy soil brought about by poor drainage. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
If the Vriesea 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.
Dark, soft, drooping, long leaves
Inadequate light for Flaming Sword Bromeliads is the cause of dark, soft, drooping, long leaves. Move the Bromeliad to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough. Check out this post on understanding light for houseplants.
Brown leaf tips
Growing a Flaming Sword Bromeliad where the air is too dry will cause it to have brown leaf tips as it prefers humid conditions to thrive. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other humid areas. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Pale brown patches
Exposing the Flaming Sword Bromeliad to direct sunlight will cause to have pale brown patches on the leaves. The Bromeliad does not like to be exposed to direct sunlight. Protect it from direct sunlight or move it to a shadier spot.
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