Evita Vriesea Bromeliad

Set this plant in a place where they will receive bright, indirect light for favorable results.

Use unsoftened, filtered, bottled, or tap water sitting 24 hours to release the chemicals and water enough that the water discharges out of the drainage holes. Once the water is fully drained, replace them into the cache or decorative pot. Replenish the water when the soil is dry or when your plant meter registers at 3-4.

Bromeliads need humidity at a rate of 40-60%. Use a pebble tray, humidifier and group plants together to raise the humidity levels.

This tropical plant loves warm climates and humidity.

In nature, this plant will grow attached to the side of a tree and the canopy of a tree from direct sun.

Fertilize monthly during their growing period while the flower is in bloom with a balanced liquid fertilizer and a time release granular soil fertilizer. Reduce during the fall and winter months while the plant is in their dormant phase. When fertilizing, don't get the fertilizer in the urn or tank as this can burn the plant.

To repot a bromeliad grown out of their container, get a larger one that's 2 inches wider with drainage holes. Make sure the container is sturdy enough if the bromeliad is top-heavy. Use a mixture of 1/2 well-draining potting mix, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 orchid bark. Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow to drain. Fill the container's bottom with the mix, then place the bromeliad in and fill around the edges. Leave at least an inch of room from the top of the container to avoid water spillage. Water the plant well. Add them to an area with bright, indirect sunlight and humidity to let them settle into their new environment.

When the flower fades and turns brown, remove the flower stalk as far down as you can cut with sharp clippers. Once pups or offshoots are one-third the size of the mother plant, they can be removed with their roots attached and planted. The mother plant will not produce any more flowers and eventually, die.

To propagate the bromeliad pups, let the pups grow on the mother plant until they reach at least 5 inches or a third of the original stalk's size. Take the mother plant out of the pot. Cut the mother plant top off to see the pup and remove all the dead leaves. Pull away the pup and the small root system with them. You may need to use pruners to help remove the roots and pup. Some arm strength may be required to wedge them away from the parent plant. Once you have them separated, you can use a bromeliad medium (1/2 well-draining potting mix, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 orchid bark) to repot them in. Use a container with drainage holes and nothing too big for the pup. Allow at least 2 inches of soil to surround the pup. You will bury the roots very shallow in the soil so as not to cause rotting on the leaves. Tamp the mix down to secure the plant. Water from overhead to give them a drink and water well so it drains through the hole. Set them in a bright, indirect sunny area.