I love plants and flowers, but sadly do not have much of a green thumb. I was given this past week 4 Bromiliad plants in bloom, 1-Yellow, 1-Salmon Pink, 2 Dark Pink. They are in regular green plastic nursery pots. I have no idea what to do for them or how to keep them alive. They are beautiful. Will they live outside? If so, do you have to bring them inside in the fall? I just need some general directions as to what to do for them. I would really like to keep them living.
Tropical plants best grown indoors where not climate not frost free. Tank types, with leaf bases that collect water also have nuisance aspect of being favored breeding sites for mosquitoes when located outdoors. These need to have the bases kept filled with water at all times. Probably all yours are in this group.
Should they be repotted in a different pot or just remain in the same pot. If they need repotting, what type of soil do they need? Thanks for the response to my question.
Epiphytic (tree-dwelling) species used small roots to grip branches, rocks and other supports in habitat. Main action is in reservoirs at leaf bases, where water and nutrients are accumulated and absorbed. Likewise pot and potting medium are primarily platforms, makeup and condition of medium quite secondary as long as not infested, contaminated or broken down (decomposed and soggy). For full discussions searching www for "bromeliads culture", "bromeliad care" and the like should turn up pages.
Terrestrial bromeliads should be quite happy outdoors in a North Carolina summer. Some will survive occasional temperatures down to freezing, so depending on the species, you might be able to leave some out until at least October in your climate. It would be best to find local enthusiasts. You're too cold to do the North Florida thing of hauling the tender stuff indoors on cold nights.
You asked about soil. Use a compost type soil but be sure and add some peat moss and orchid bark to the mix. Try to find an orchid mix that contains charcoal such as Schultz. These plants don't have "roots" as you think of them. Scientifically they are known as "hold fasts". That is because all they do is hold the plant "fast" to the host which is frequently a tree. They do not transfer water or nutrients. However, there are terrestrial forms that do live in soil. A photo would help determine what you may be growing. In most cases the ones you buy at retail stores are an epiphytic form. An epiphyte is simply a plant that grows attached to another plant. Ron's advice on keeping the cone filled with clean water is a must if you want the plant to stay happy. In the rain forests of South America, frogs actually lay their eggs in the cone high up in the canopy. Entire mini ecosystems have been observed living and breeding inside bromeliads 100 feet off the ground! Certain dendrobate frogs (very colorful) will only lay their eggs in the cone of a bromeliad. The inflorescence (what you would think of as a flower) will last several months depending on the species. Sometimes as long as 5 or 6 months. Once the inflorescence dies that plant will never produce an inflorescence again. However, it will begin to put off "pups" around the base. With descent care those will grow to a full size plant the following year and will produce another inflorescence. I've got plants where I started with a single specimen and the same one has now grown into a cluster of plants. But each year, after the inflorescence is done, that plant will also die. I use to want to kill the folks at a big mall in Miami because they would always throw the plants in the trash once the inflorescence died. There are lots of people who would grab those and care for them if given a chance! The advice on not leaving it out until it freezes is quite good as well. But they will survive nicely in a window during the winter so long as they don't touch the cold glass. Most bromiliads prefer moderately bright light but will do fine in light shade. The very best information on the web is from the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, Inc. If you grow bromeliads this is a wonderful resource! http://fcbs.org/butcher/dereksays.htm
