BE BOLD bromeliads WITH

TURN YOUR TREES INTO A HANGING GARDEN

If you want to go troppo and celebrate the colourful and quirky characteristics of tropical plants, then bromeliads exceed on both counts. First are the spectacular flowers that emerge from the central rosette of the luxuriant leaves. Then you can grow them on trees! In their native South America, they grow on rocks and escarpments or in tree canopies. As lithophytes or epiphytes, the roots’ role is just to grip whatever they’re sitting on and they get nutrients and water from organic matter and rain that falls on their leaves. Recreate this rich extravagance in your own backyard, then watch their amazing blooms emerge for an exotic, tropical and vibrant garden feature.

PUT LOW ON THE GROUND

Catch everyone’s eye with bromeliads in pots on balconies, in courtyards or your garden bed.

• The potting mix should be light and open. Its main purpose is to support and contain the roots, not provide nutrients. Combine half each of all-purpose mix and orchid mix.

• Don’t plant too deeply or the roots will rot.

• Fertilise every 4-6 weeks during the late spring and summer, but not inside the leaves as it can build up and burn new growth.

• Water 2-3 times a week in summer, and monthly in winter. Flush the centre cup often to prevent stagnation.

• Use young, small bromeliads. Large ones are harder to a ach and may fall off. Young plant roots will grow to support the weight as the plant grows.

• Select healthy plants with strong root systems and stiff leaves with no signs of wilting or brown edges.

• Place in the fork of a branch or in a hollow of the tree’s trunk as it needs leverage while the roots grow and grip the bark.

• Use plastic-coated wire, pantyhose or fishing line to tie your plant onto the tree around the lower part of the stem, not the leaves. Don’t cut into the roots or the tree branch. Ensure the roots are si ing on the bark.

• Tie securely so it won’t wave in a breeze or the roots won’t be able to make an a achment.

• If the roots are too small, add a few drops of non-siliconebased glue. It doesn’t hurt the plant and the roots grow around it until they are long enough to grip the bark and hold the plant securely in place.

• Cover the roots with Spanish moss or peat moss to keep them moist.

• Spray half-strength liquid plant fertiliser onto – but not into – the leaves.

• Spray water over leaves and at the plant base 2-3 times a week in hot weather and monthly during winter.

HANG THEM HIGH IN THE AIR

AECHMEA SP

Bolster your tree’s flower power by combining bromeliads and orchids – both are epiphytes. Then drape your limbs with Spanish moss, which is neither Spanish nor a moss but is actually a member of the bromeliad family. GUZMANIA – STRIPED AND PLAIN LEAVES

Top Row The blooms of Guzmania sp are a reflection of the foliage. Here’s an exclamation point that’s got spark – the matchstick bromeliad (Aechmea gamosepal). MIDDLE ROW The yellow and red combination of the urn plant (Aechmea fasciata) is dramatic, but you can also get it with shocking pink bracts and blue flowers. The diverse varieties of Aechmea mean it comes in all shapes, sizes and colours. BOTTOM ROW Add colourful, exotic crotons to your brom garden. The flaened inflorescences of the sword plant (Vriesea sp) have long made it a favourite. Foliage stripes can go up and down or across. You choose!