Bromeliads

The Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) is a family of monocot flowering plants which is part of the succulent plant world.

Native to the American Continents, the bromeliad family has over 3000 species. Approximately half of the species are Air Plants or Epiphytes which grow on trees or other plants, getting their nutrients from rainfall, dust, debris collecting in their cupped leaves, or absorbing them through special scales on their leaves.

Some species are saxicolous which means they grow over rocks, others are terrestrial, using soil for support and sustenance.

Humans from the Inca, Aztec, Maya, and other civilizations began using bromeliads for food, protection, fiber, and ceremonial use several thousand years ago.

Foliage colors range from gold through various shades of green to deep maroon. European interest in the bromeliad family was initially focused on the pineapple, the ananas comosus. Yes, the pineapple is in the bromeliad family, I bet that is a trivia piece you never knew.

In their native habitats, bromeliads grow in altitudes from sea level to 13,000 feet and vary in terrain from rain forests to desserts.

Nearly all bromeliads have specialized groups of cells called trichomes which are outgrowths ( scales) on the plant surface. In each group, the scales are slightly different in shape and function.

In most bromeliads, the scales serve mainly as a very efficient absorption system for water and nutrients. However, they can also serve as protection from dry or wet conditions or as rain protection for wet tropical areas. The plant also benefits from an anti-fouling system to stop the leaves from getting clogged with dirt.

Even still more remarkable is the plants have protection from fungal and insect attacks as well as excess UV rays. The benefit of trichomes is one of the man reasons why bromeliads are so successful in filling so many niches in the ecosystem.

The xerophytic or atmosphere epiphytes have so many of the trichomes that the plant appears silver or grey. These are the air plants spoken of in a previous Blog.

CARE:

The main thing to consider when choosing a bromeliad for your garden or home is the amount of light, in particular direct sunlight. Bromeliads come from a wide variety of environments from the deepest shade to the blazing sun of the desert so there are species suitable for any light situation you may have.

Light intensity influences leaf color, leaf shape, and plant growth. There are too many varieties to go into any real detail about care. Determine which plant for your zone you want and research that plants specific needs.

If you already have one of the potted nursery varieties that are popular and the plant has not bloomed in a long time try this trick. Use of natural Ethylene.

1. Place a banana skin or apple core on top of the soil. make sure there is no excess water in the base of the pot.

2. Place a clear plastic bag over the top of the plant down to the pot and leave it there for 5 to 7 days.

3. Remove the plastic bag and discard the fruit. It should flower in 10-16 weeks.

I hope the world of bromeliads seems a little less intimidating. There is so much more info about this beautiful plant massive books have been written about it.

If you have a large shaded garden and you do not get frost, bromeliads are great replacements for ferns. If you can get a variety you can have epiphytes growing on rocks and trees that offer the shade. The variety of colors will be so much prettier than the simple green of ferns or other shade plants.

Monocot plants are marked by seeds with a single cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves, scattered vascular bundles in the stem, the absence of a typical cambium, and an adventitious root system.

Cotyledon an embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants, one or more of which are the first leaves to appear from a germinating seed.

#bromeliads #monocot #cotyledon