GARDEN CAPSULE
The challenge: The exotic bloom of your bromeliad plant is turning brown. You’re wondering if the plant will bloom again or if you should discard it.
The solution: Although this plant won’t bloom again, don’t toss it out. Take a look at the base of your plant and you’ll see young shoots or “pups” already growing. Pull the leaves from the mother plant as they wither, but allow the pups to grow and eventually bloom. Another possibility: If you want more plants, wait until the pups are one-third to one-half as tall as the mother plant. Clear soil around the base of the plants and use a sharp knife to separate each one from the mother. After allowing the pups to air dry for a day, plant each one in a mixture of equal parts of peat moss and bark.
Pluses: Bromeliads’ exotic blooms last for months. Many kinds also have brightly colored foliage arranged in a vaseshape rosette of stiff leaves. The plants are easy to grow and thrive at normal room temperatures.
Minuses: Too much fertilizer can burn bromeliad leaves. Hard water leaves unsightly lime deposits on the foliage and softened water contains too much salt. (Rainwater or distilled water is recommended. Use it to fill the “reservoir” where the plant’s center leaves meet to form a cup.)
Sources: Bromeliads are widely available at florist shops and other retail stores where indoor plants are sold. For more growing information and a retail store finder, go to kents bromeliad.com.