Bilbergia ‘Baracho’

Growing Notes

Suckers from the base to create dense colonies that are easily divided. Once flower is spent cut the stem of the flower as low as possible in the center of the bromeliad. Later, when that head begins to look ratty it can be removed to make more room for new plants.Bromeliads are occasionally terrestrial (grow in the ground) but generally are epiphytic, growing on the trunks and branches of trees. Some are lythophytic, growing in the cracks of rock faces. Either way they don’t need much root space and thrive in pots.Since they are epiphytic, bromeliads are a great choice for mounting on a plank, tree, fence, totem or rock.Because they are usually growing in tight spots their nutrients come from decaying litter, making them appreciate a light acidic fertilizer.When planting in the ground take extra care to ensure good drainage. Some ways to do this are by mounding the plants, adding pumice or lava rock to the soil, or even planting nursery cans directly into a basin of pumice to keep their roots constrained.Avoid planting under trees or other plants that shed a lot, as the litter will collect in the rosettes. If this happens you can flush the tanks out with a garden