Tropical Plants
Tropical Plants
Caring For Bromeliad Plants
<p>Bromeliads are wonderful colorful tropical plants that you might have spotted in gardens and nurseries. It is from the family of bromeliaceae, from which the pineapple also belongs. These flowers are found in plenty of bright colors that not just brighten up the surroundings but also your mood. Bromeliad plants are varied in their structure, color and even flower. They are even unique in their requirements while growing up, so every bromeliad has to be treated differently. Bromeliad plants can be cared in very simple ways that have been discussed here.</p>
<b>Bromeliad plants can be grown in:</b>
<p>Bromeliads are tropical plants, but that does not stop them from growing in milder climates. This does not mean they be grown in areas common to frosts. They are outdoor plants, but can be also grown indoors if provided the right amount of sunshine everyday. Trichome bromeliad plants can be grown outdoors, but you have to specially water them. Epiphytic bromeliads are another type of the species, that needs no soil to grow and so suitable for trunk of large tree or wall. Normal bromeliads are plants that enrich itself from the soil and grow best in a rainforest. </p>
<b>Care of bromeliad plants:</b>
<p>Bromeliads are known for being sturdy and so can survive without proper care even. Still, some pests might harm them and so care has to be taken. Bromeliad plant care is easy if these points are taken care of:</p>
<li>Never pour excess water on the plants. You don’t need to pour water in the lower leaves, as the plant is capable of absorbing water from roots. Make sure that water is limited and changed regularly in the tank created by the lower leaves, in order to prevent the flowers from rotting. </li>
<li>Bromeliad plant care is incomplete without proper sunlight. Bromeliads have different requirements of sunlight. Some plants with broad leaves have the tendency to burn while directly put under the sun. In this case, it is best to put the plant along the southern direction. Indirect and filtered sunlight is always good for the plants. </li>
<li>Fertilizing is an important means if you want rapid growth of the plant. A good water fertilizer in correct quantity can be beneficial in this regard. Though at home, fertilization is seldom required.
<li>Ideal temperature for the bromeliad plants is 55 to 85 degree F. These plants can survive in a number of temperatures, so it is not a problem. It is seen that these flowers live more and have fuller colors if kept at low temperatures at night. But make sure that the plant is not suffocated and there is plenty of air flowing in the area. </li>
<li>Bromeliad plants grow pretty slowly. It is just once that they bloom. So it is important to grow a new plant so that it can bloom. After blooming, a pup is produced which takes a period of six months to grow into even one-third of its mother plant. In order to let them bloom, it has to mature. Even if Bromeliads are not cared, these plants still grow.</li>
</ul>
About the Author
For general information on Bromeliad Plant, http://bromeliadplants.xanga.com/, which has a nice article.
Anybody know of some good Tropical or Tropical-like plants that will grow well in California?
I am landscaping my Mother-in-laws yard and she wants a tropical design. I am not having much luck finding variations that will stay alive through the winter. She is not interested in pulling them up and bringing them inside for the winter. I am settling for some more marshy and deserty looking plants to help supliment. But it’s still not Tropically enought. Can’t plant trees either, so don’t suggest that. Thanks!
I live in the central valley…Stanislaus County.
Where are you in California? That will help narrow down some ideas/suggestions I have but here are some I can think of off the top of my head:
Canna
Musa and Musella (hardy banana and ornamental banana-loves the leaves)
Hibiscus (many different forms available)
New Guinea Impatiens
Passiflora (Passion Vine)
Mandevilla laxa
Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’
Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily)
Ferns
Ipomoea (Sweet Potato vine)-many foliage colors available
Coleus – many foliage colors available and now varieties are sun tolerant!
Manettia (Firecracker Vine)
Asarina barclaiana (vining snapdragon)
Cobaea scandens (cup and saucer vine)
Snapdragons
Abutilon (Flowering maple)
Tibouchina (Glory bush)
Cestrum – a few species available
Fuchsia
Justicia – many forms available
Iochroma – really cool flowers, kind of hard to find though
Lantana – many forms available
Heliotropium (Heliotrope) – so fragrant!
Phormium (New Zealand Flax) – to add texture
Yucca (Adam’s Needle)
Cordyline (Torbay, Cabbage or Cornish Palm)
Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet)
Datura (Devil’s Trumpet)
Buddleia (butterfly bush)
Kalanchoe
Malva (Mallow)
Mirabilis (four o’clocks)
These are just a few I can think of. I’m just north of San Francisco and can grow all of these. There are a few that need frost protection but can go through the winter here.
Best of luck to you!
EDIT: Looks like you are in Zone 8 and I’m in Zone 8 too. I think all of these will do well for you. Your summer may be slightly warmer than mine but these will do okay if you have them in the right spot (sun plants in sun and shade plants in shade, etc). Happy Gardening.
Biotech Tropical Plants