The Guzmania plant originates from the tropical and subtropical forests of the Americas. The plants attach themselves to trees and their roots and never reach the ground, although there are some types that grow on the ground. Dead leaves, bird droppings, and monkey droppings nourish the plants after a decomposition process. Large, grooved leaves collect rainwater and transport it to the center of the plant for watering. Occasionally, the plant blooms with bright red flowers. When we place the plant in the house, we try to spread the scent of those flowers.
Modern Guzmania plants are grown in greenhouses in the Netherlands, thousands of miles from their natural habitat. The plants are grown under strict temperature control and excessive fertilization to speed up the blooming so they can be sold quickly from the shelves of nurseries and flower shops.
There are 2 main types of Guzmania suitable for growing at home:
- Gusmania minor – A plant no larger than the distance from the elbow to the other hand. Suitable as a decoration on the hospitality table.
- Gusmania lingulata – This type grows to a length of about 2 meters and is suitable for placement in the guest room in a medium-sized decorative pot.
Growing Guzmania
Growing the Guzmania plant is a real bargain because of its minimalist requirements. The Guzmania plant of the entire Bromeliaceae family requires the least sunlight. It is recommended to place the plant in 75%-80% shade. The less light the plant requires, the more moisture it requires. The thin leaves of the plant will suffer as the humidity level drops and they will dry out. A lack of moisture can be identified by a brown color on the tips of the leaves that will progress along the leaf until it dries out completely.
elk
Guzmania requires a larger amount of fertilizer than other plants. A slow-release type of fertilizer will do the plant good.
A small amount of fertilizer can be added with each watering. It has been observed that the maximum amount of fertilizer is absorbed by the plant up to about 4 hours after fertilization. Avoid watering with hard tap water to prevent the accumulation of salts that may burn the plant and its roots. It is better to water with mineral or filtered water.
Reproduction
At the end of the flowering season, small sprouts will grow at the base of the plant. When the sprouts grow to about half the height of the main plant, they can be pruned with a sharp tool and planted separately. Flowering will begin after a year or two. Garden soil should never be used as a substrate for the plant. This type of substrate is usually fatal to the plant and suffocates the roots after a short time. Use a special compost. Guzmania can be grown on another plant, but growth will be slower and the plant will be very small.
