As tradition goes, these plants are used as an important local culture and identity to the indigenous communities of Las Margaritas, Chiapas, Mexico. They are collected on the Day of the Dead for ceremonial and religious festivities and to decorate the graves of loved ones.
Care Level: Easy going
Pet Friendly: Yes
Safe for humans, pets, cats and dogs.
Bloom: No
Medium to bright indirect light. Never direct sunlight.
Don'Äôt overwater. Too much water can cause root or crown rot.
Enjoys high humidity. Spritz occasionally.
Ideally, the Bromeliads grow best when temperatures are between 60°-80°F.
Outside: Grow in partial shade (4-6 hours) where nights are above 60°F. Indoors: The Bromeliad prefers bright, indirect light for at least six hours in a southern, eastern and western windows.
Fertilize monthly during its 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 its 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 its 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 it 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 it to an area with bright, indirect sunlight and humidity to let it settle into its new environment.
Remove the dead or dying part with some pruners back to the base. This simple pruning will give more light to the remaining pups with more room to stretch and make new baby bromeliads.
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 it. You may need to use pruners to help remove the roots and pup. Some arm strength may be required to wedge it 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 it a drink and water well so it drains through the hole. Set it in a bright, indirect sunny area.
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