Flaming Sword Bromeliads (Vriesea Bromeliads) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems with Remedies
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Flaming Sword Bromeliads (Vriesea Bromeliads) are easy-care plants which grow best in bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during 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 ft long and an upright, sword-like, 2 ft long, flower-head with bright red bracts.
Botanical name: Vriesea
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sufamily: Tillandsioideae
Common name: Flaming Sword Bromeliads
Origin
The Vriesea species of Bromeliads 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
A Flaming Sword 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 in Vriesea Bromeliads 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 (Vriesea 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 or on Etsy.
Buy Flaming Sword Bromeliads from Amazon
Buy Flaming Sword Bromeliads from Etsy
Vriesea Bromeliads Care Indoors
Flaming Sword Bromeliad (Vriesea Bromeliad) flourishes in bright light away from direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, orchid's potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Vriesea Bromeliad 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 light away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
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.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for growing your Flaming Sword Bromeliad indoors is an average warmth of 18-260C. However, to bring the bromeliad to flower requires temperatures above 260C. Keep the bromeliad away from cold drafts to avoid temperature flactuations.
Flaming Sword Bromeliad requires above avearage 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. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Ensure that there is good air circulation for the bromeliad to prevent pests and disease infestations.
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. Buy quality orchid potting mix online from Amazon.
Feeding
Feed Flaming Sword Bromeliad with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 2 weeks during the growing season.
Do not feed the Vriesea Bromeliad during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and it may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repotting Flaming Sword 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. Check out these Ceramic Pots with Drainage Holes and Saucer available on Amazon.
To help keep the bromeliad upright, provide it with support like a moss pole.
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 Bromeliad (Vriesea Bromeliads) propagation can be done from offsets (pups) appearing at the base of the plant.
How to propagate Flaming Sword Bromeliads 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 death, 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 houseplants and treat it with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Plant dying
If the Flaming Sword Bromeliad has not flowered, the cause of death is root-rot disease 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 as it prefers bright light but away from direct sunlight.
Move the Bromeliad to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light but away from direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is inadequate.
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 the humid areas of the home like a bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and others.
Pale brown patches
Exposing the Flaming Sword Bromeliad to direct sunlight will cause to have pale brown patches on the leaves. Vriesea 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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