Guzmania

The genus Guzmania comprises 110 species of perennial herbaceous plants originating from the rainforests of Central and South America. The name of the plant is given in honor of Anastasio Guzman, a Spanish naturalist, scientist and deep connoisseur of the tropical flora of Central America. Most species in their natural growth are epiphytes (that is, they grow on another plant - on the trunks and branches of trees, most often using them as a support). However, when these plants are cultivated as houseplants, they do not cause any special problems. Guzmania is one of the most valuable and decorative indoor plants due to the glossy color of the bracts (their function is to attract insects) in different shades: from red to intense orange. Elongated leathery leaves are collected in a rosette; they can be uniformly green in color or in brown, sometimes white, stripes. Real flowers are not flashy, do not last long and can be white or yellow. The most well-known species, from which the varieties and varieties that are widespread today were obtained by crossing or breeding: Guzmania lingulata with bright green leaves and glossy and red bracts on the inner side, with yellow - edged leaves with a bluish tint in the central part. This species has varieties 'Purple' and 'Small'. Guzmania mosaica (G. musaica) has leaves, on the contrary, green, with transverse dark green and red-brown stripes; the underside of the leaves is reddish; inflorescences on the inner side of the bracts are red, on top - orange. Guzmania blood-red (G. sanguinea) has characteristic lanceolate leaves gathered in a compact rosette, bent outward, with a red and yellow coating.

The genus Guzmania comprises 110 species of perennial herbaceous plants originating from the rainforests of Central and South America. The name of the plant is given in honor of Anastasio Guzman, a Spanish naturalist, scientist and deep connoisseur of the tropical flora of Central America. Most species in their natural growth are epiphytes (that is, they grow on another plant - on the trunks and branches of trees, most often using them as a support). However, when these plants are cultivated as houseplants, they do not cause any special problems.

Guzmania is one of the most valuable and decorative indoor plants due to the glossy color of the bracts (their function is to attract insects) in different shades: from red to intense orange. Elongated leathery leaves are collected in a rosette; they can be uniformly green in color or in brown, sometimes white, stripes. Real flowers are not flashy, do not last long and can be white or yellow.

The most well-known species, from which the varieties and varieties that are widespread today were obtained by crossing or breeding: Guzmania lingulata with bright green leaves and glossy and red bracts on the inner side, with yellow - edged leaves with a bluish tint in the central part. This species has varieties 'Purple' and 'Small'.

Guzmania mosaica (G. musaica) has leaves, on the contrary, green, with transverse dark green and red-brown stripes; the underside of the leaves is reddish; inflorescences on the inner side of the bracts are red, on top - orange.

Guzmania blood-red (G. sanguinea) has characteristic lanceolate leaves gathered in a compact rosette, bent outward, with a red and yellow coating.

Cultivation

Guzmania species are easy to grow at home if you keep the air temperature under control. In the spring-summer period, fertilizer with a high potassium content (nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium ratio - 1:1:2) should be applied every 2 weeks at the rate of 10 g per bucket of water.

Location

These plants prefer bright places in the apartment, but you should avoid direct sunlight, which can cause burns to the leaves, which are expressed in the appearance of yellow spots with subsequent necrosis.

Temperature

The temperature should not fall below 18 °C, although the plant tolerates 15 °C. In summer, at temperatures above 28 °C, it is necessary to check whether there is excessive elongation of the leaves, even if high humidity is provided.

Watering

Watering - plentiful in the hottest season and minimal in winter: in the cold period, it is enough just to keep the soil in the pot in a slightly moist state. When watering, it is also necessary to fill the leaf rosette of guzmania, but it is not recommended to keep it constantly filled with water. If you use too cold water for irrigation, you can damage the leaves. Rainwater is ideal for this plant.

Transplant

In spring or summer, plants are transplanted into a pot slightly larger than the previous one, using soil consisting of turf.

Care

Periodically clean the leaves with a slightly moistened cloth. Separate dried leaves should be cut off and removed along with the petiole.

Reproduction

Guzmania, unfortunately, rarely produces side shoots that are left connected to the parent plant while they form roots. In April, after rooting, they are separated from the mother plant and planted in another pot filled with soil, the same composition as for transplanting into a new pot. The soil is constantly maintained in a moist state, so that young plants are fully taken. In addition to propagation by shoots, guzmania can be propagated by seeds, but only professionals can do this, because growing seedlings requires long-term care - about 3 years. At the same time, observe a constant temperature of 22 °C and high humidity. Only then do the plants become capable of flowering.

Diseases

Leaf decay from the base of the rosette can be caused by the fungus Phytophtora cinnamomi. Increased ambient temperature also contributes to the disease. To control it, excessive soil and environmental humidity should be avoided and treated with appropriate fungicides. The activity of the pathogen Pemphigus bursarius, which damages the roots, is prevented by constantly maintaining the soil in a slightly moist state or by treating it with an appropriate preparation. Browning of the leaves indicates rotting of the roots, which can be associated with excessive watering. Reduce watering and only pour water into the leaf socket.

Acquisition

Guzmania can be purchased at any time of the year in gardening centers. The correct indicator of plant quality is undoubtedly the brilliance and intensity of color of the leaves and bracts.