What exactly is a Bromeliad? And why are we talking about Bromeliads on a page dedicated to Tillandsias? Bromeliads are tropical plants belonging to the Bromeliaceae family, of which Tillandsia (air plants) is a genus. Plants in the plant kingdom are divided into different families, orders, and genuses, as we all learned in school (albeit a long time ago!).
What is the difference between an air plant and a bromeliad?
Unlike “bromeliads,” tillandsia, or “air plants,” should never be planted on soil or other substrate. While both tillandsia and bromeliads are epiphytes that grow on everything they can root to, such as trees, rocks, other plants, the sides of houses, and so on, bromeliads thrive in soil. Bromeliads and tillandsias do not take in nutrients via their thread-like, tough roots. The roots, on the other hand, are purely structural, serving to keep the plant in place. Bromeliads flourish in full water tanks, but tillandsias rot and die if kept damp for long periods of time.
Water Differences, Bromeliad VS Tillandsia
Bromeliads have “water tanks,” whereas tillandsia, or air plants, do not. Trichomes are structures that help Tillandsia absorb water and nutrients through their leaves. New growers are often concerned about this because they are accustomed to inspecting moist soil or full bromeliad water tanks. Tillandsia, on the other hand, absorb water and nutrients through their leaf, as previously stated. Tillandsia should never be let to sit in water for an extended amount of time. They’ll drown and perish.
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How do you water a bromeliad air plant?
Some bromeliads, such as Tillandsia, do not require the use of potting material. Misting these air plants several times a week is recommended. You can also rehydrate the plant by submerging it in water for a few minutes. Tillandsias are difficult to over-water since they cannot absorb more water than they require to survive. To avoid rot, if you use the “dunk method” to water your air plants, make sure to drain all extra water between the leaves.
Rainwater or distilled water are the finest options for watering your bromeliad. The toxins found in some tap water can be harmful to these delicate plants. Hard water usage is often indicated by slow growth or browning of leaf tips.
Check out these wonderful articles for more information on bromeliad basic care:
Why are bromeliads called Airplants?
Tillandsia grows on other surfaces and attaches itself to them. A few can be grown in a pot or in the ground, but they do best when mounted on something else. Other genera of plants have roots that absorb water and nutrients from the earth. The roots of a Tillandsia are mostly utilized for support. Instead of absorbing moisture and nutrients from the earth, the roots attach themselves to the host plant or mount and absorb them from the air, earning the term “air plants.” Their leaves have tiny protrusions on them that help them absorb moisture and nutrients. Trichomes are the name for these structures. Rain and dew water are taken in by the plant in its natural habitat. They can’t live only on humidity.
Tillandsia, like other bromeliads, only flowers once. Some of the leaves, called bracts, may turn a brilliant color like pink or red before they blossom. A bromeliad flower will normally last for a long time, however the plant will die once the blossom has faded. Before the plant dies, it produces pups, which are its progeny. Separating the pups from the mother plant allows them to flourish on their own.
Is bromeliad an indoor plant?
Bromeliads are excellent low-maintenance indoor plants because they require little sunlight and only need to be watered once a week when kept indoors. Because bromedliads need humidity, keep them away from air conditioning and chilly draughts and spritz them every couple of days with a spray bottle.
Is a bromeliads a succulent?
There’s some debate about why a plant that requires a lot of shade and thrives on a lot of water is classified as a succulent. A succulent, by definition, is a plant with fleshy leaves, roots, or stems that hold water. The bromeliad stores water in its “urn” rather than relying on root water intake. This plant’s ability to store water within its leaves earns it a spot in this category.
How do you look after bromeliad Tillandsia?
Growing and blooming require bright, indirect light. 2-3 times a week, spray leaves with water until they are completely moist. The runoff water should be sufficient to soak the roots. Do not water the plant’s base, since this can cause the flower stalk to rot.
Do bromeliads only flower once?
You’ll want to get rid of the flowers once they’ve finished flowering. This instructs the bromeliad to devote more energy to its young. Although my Aechmea had done blooming by late October, I didn’t remove the flowers until December. Even so, the bromeliad continues to generate more pups. You’ll need to water the bromeliad again, as you did before. In its core cup, as well as at the margins of the soil, I give it filtered water. My plant appears to be doing well, despite being set back significantly from a south-facing window. Bromeliads with stiffer, thicker leaves require stronger light, whereas softer leaf species can withstand some dappled light.
How long do bromeliad plants live?
Bromeliads have a two- to five-year lifespan. They’re one of those plants that blooms once when it reaches maturity, then slowly dies as it devotes all of its energy to generating pups, or young plants. Bromeliad blossoms can last up to six months, giving you a long-lasting bloom for the plant’s only display.
Why are they called Airplants?
Air plants are adorable, resembling pets rather than plants. It’s enticing whether a variation is fluffy, hairy, spiky, or trailing. Air plants are often small, easy to cultivate, and do not require soil. Air plants use scales on their leaves to absorb nutrients and water from the air, as the name implies. They’re popular as houseplants because they’re easy to maintain and require little light to grow.