Aechmea

Among the plants of the Bromeliads family, outwardly similar representatives of the genera Bilbergia and Aechmea enjoy deserved popularity. Among bilbergia (only 50 species, both epiphytic and terrestrial), the most common in culture is the drooping bilbergia (Billbergia nutans), which differs from most tropical plants in its undemanding care. Each elongated rosette of hard, dark green leaves produces one graceful drooping inflorescence with numerous pale pink bracts. Unfortunately, the inflorescences do not last very long. Bilbergia Sanders (B. saundersii hort.) Is distinguished by dull gray, as if powdered leaves, inflorescences with wide beautiful pink bracts. Bilbergia striped (B. zebrina) forms characteristic narrow funnels of leaves with whitish transverse stripes on the underside. There are numerous interspecific bilbergia hybrids. The Aechmea genus unites about 180 species of perennial epiphytic plants with a shortened stem and rigid leaves collected in a funnel-shaped rosette. A well-known striped Aechmea (Aechmea fasciata) with leaves 50 cm long and 5-6 cm wide, light green, with wide transverse silvery stripes. The inflorescences are dense, resembling a bump. The flowers are first blue, then red. When they fade, bright pink bracts retain their decorative effect for a long time. Very unpretentious sparkling Aechmea (Ae. Futgens) is often grown. Leaves are belt-shaped, green above, reddish-purple below. It blooms in spring, flowers are small, red, collected in a loose racemose inflorescence.

Among the plants of the Bromeliads family, outwardly similar representatives of the genera Bilbergia and Aechmea enjoy deserved popularity. Among bilbergia (only 50 species, both epiphytic and terrestrial), the most common in culture is the drooping bilbergia (Billbergia nutans), which differs from most tropical plants in its undemanding care. Each elongated rosette of hard, dark green leaves produces one graceful drooping inflorescence with numerous pale pink bracts. Unfortunately, the inflorescences do not last very long. Bilbergia Sanders (B. saundersii hort.) Is distinguished by dull gray, as if powdered leaves, inflorescences with wide beautiful pink bracts.

Bilbergia striped (B. zebrina) forms characteristic narrow funnels of leaves with whitish transverse stripes on the underside. There are numerous interspecific bilbergia hybrids.

The Aechmea genus unites about 180 species of perennial epiphytic plants with a shortened stem and rigid leaves collected in a funnel-shaped rosette. A well-known striped Aechmea (Aechmea fasciata) with leaves 50 cm long and 5-6 cm wide, light green, with wide transverse silvery stripes. The inflorescences are dense, resembling a bump. The flowers are first blue, then red. When they fade, bright pink bracts retain their decorative effect for a long time. Very unpretentious sparkling Aechmea (Ae. Futgens) is often grown. Leaves are belt-shaped, green above, reddish-purple below. It blooms in spring, flowers are small, red, collected in a loose racemose inflorescence.

Cultivation

For the cultivation of Bilbergia and Aechmea, a slightly acidic soft substrate made from a mixture of leaf humus, needles, peat and sand is used. In spring and summer, every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket. A small trick is known: to make Bilbergia or Aechmea bloom (3-year-old plants enter into bloom), ripe apples are placed nearby. They are believed to release ethylene, which stimulates bromeliads to flower. As soon as the flowering ends, the leaf rosette, where the peduncle was, is cut off at the base with a sharp knife.

For the cultivation of Bilbergia and Aechmea, a slightly acidic soft substrate made from a mixture of leaf humus, needles, peat and sand is used. In spring and summer, every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket. A small trick is known: to make Bilbergia or Aechmea bloom (3-year-old plants enter into bloom), ripe apples are placed nearby. They are believed to release ethylene, which stimulates bromeliads to flower.

As soon as the flowering ends, the leaf rosette, where the peduncle was, is cut off at the base with a sharp knife.

Location

Bilbergia and Aechmea need bright lighting, but they should not be placed in direct sunlight.

Temperature

The temperature should not fall below 12-15 °С and exceed 30 °С.

Watering

In spring and summer, watered abundantly: the soil should be constantly kept moist. Watered only with soft water, you can rain. It is important that the depression of the leaf funnel is always filled with 2-2.5 cm of water. You can water less often during the rest period. Frequent spraying of the leaves is necessary to maintain the humidity of the environment.

In spring and summer, watered abundantly: the soil should be constantly kept moist. Watered only with soft water, you can rain. It is important that the depression of the leaf funnel is always filled with 2-2.5 cm of water.

You can water less often during the rest period. Frequent spraying of the leaves is necessary to maintain the humidity of the environment.

Transplant

It is carried out in late spring - early summer in a slightly larger pot than the previous one.

Care

Leaves are wiped from dust using a damp cloth. It is not recommended to use lustering solutions, as burns appear on the leaves from them.

Reproduction

Most often they use the vegetative method - after flowering, the lateral suckers, formed at the base of the rosette, are carefully separated so that each has roots. After the slices dry out for 2-3 days, the seedlings are placed in new pots. Since Bilbergia and Aechmea have a shallow root system, even very small pots can be used, as long as they can withstand the plant. Can also be propagated by seed, but it will take 5 years or more for the seedlings to bloom.

Diseases

These plants are disease resistant. The exceptions are wilting and leaf rot associated with excessive or insufficient watering.

Acquisition

Aechmea and Bilbergias are easy to purchase at any flower shop and gardening center. Choose a healthy plant with buds when shopping.