How many pups can a bromeliad produce?
One plant generally produces several pups, so you usually end up with more bromeliads than you started out with. Pups can be separated from the original plant any time after they have grown to be about one-third the size of the original plant. Most bromeliads need shelter from full sun and medium to hard frost. Shade under tree canopies and buildings and undercover patios are suitable. When planting bromeliads in pots or into the garden, they prefer an open, well-drained soil mix.Forcing a Bromeliad to Bloom Sooner Add some dissolved Epsom salts to the cup once per month to encourage the production of chlorophyll and flowers. Forcing a bromeliad to bloom also requires an appropriate environment.Most bromeliads prefer a filtered sun position with a free draining soil. If your soil is prone to waterlogging or isn’t free draining, plant your bromeliads on mounds, raised planters or even pots.Please don’t use an oil spray (like horticultural or neem oils) on your bromeliads as they can smother the plant if used too often. The good news is that these plants are considered non-toxic.One trick to get bromeliads to bloom is, cover with a plastic bag and put an over ripe banana in there. The banana emits a gas that triggers the plant to bloom. Also fertilize once a month with half strength fertilizer. I never remove pups.
What are common problems with bromeliad pups?
Bromeliads often get overwatered and that causes root rot. Master Gardener Mary Heim says if the pups are at least a third the height of the plant they can be removed and planted. Bromeliads love pots with good drainage; we recommend cactus mix. They will grow very large even in a small pot. They can also be mounted or grown in the crotch of a tree; in this case use sphagnum moss or orchid bark secured with burlap, shredded coco coir or even an old cotton T-shirt.It’s possible for terrestrial Bromeliad pups to root in water. But you should wait for the wound where you cut the pup to callus first. However, it’s best to root both types of Bromeliads in a light, well-draining soil mix.Methods To Propagate Bromeliads Leaving the pups attached to the mother plant for as long as possible will allow them to keep absorbing nutrients, but the mother may end up producing fewer pups. In general, you’ll want to wait to harvest pups until they grow to at least one-third the size of the mother plant.