babble about fertilizer for bromeliads is complex because there are so many different plants . For most multitude , however , the doubtfulness about fertilizer have more to do with bromeliadsgrownas houseplant or for the smaller group that is grown in the garden . As tropic works , bromeliads are not usually found outdoors except in USDA Zones 10 and higher .
Species Determines Fertilizer Needs
The immense number and diversity of bromeliads means a wide range of plant food requirements as well . Another agent is how the works obtain nourishment . Epiphytic bromeliads like Spanish moss or air flora ( Tillandsia ) , get much of their food from the melody and rainwater . Some also get nutrients from decomposing dirt ball that die on the plant . sublunar bromeliads like the pineapple absorb nutrients through their base .
Timing Fertilizer
No matter what kind of plant you ’re eat , timing makes a remainder . Bromeliads are active cultivator in spring and summer , then taper off in fall and become partially dormant in winter . Begin feed in April and continue to course until August , when you should sharpen feed in through the remnant of September . Waterregularly during the feeding candle , then cut water by half after the final eating .
Fertilizer Don’ts for Bromeliads
Some canonic linguistic rule should be follow for all bromeliads . Among these :
Feeding Urn Plants and Earth Stars
Urn plant life ( Aechema ) and earth stars ( Cryptanthus ) both do well with 20 - 20 - 20 NPK fertiliser . However , dilute to half effectiveness for urn plant and apply to the central leaf rosette ; body of water exhaustively . Feed cryptanthus with fertilizer dilute to quarter lastingness and stream it forthwith on the soil . Feed epiphytic urn plants by spraying double weekly with one - eighth to one - sixteenth dilution of 20 - 20 - 20 NPK .
Feeding Blushing Bromeliads
Blushing bromeliads belong to the Neoregelia mathematical group . Theflowersare insignificant , but the substructure of the leaves and plant centre turn red when it is about to flower . If you use 20 - 20 - 20 NPK fertilizer , debase to one - sixteenth and feed only once a calendar month . you may also habituate 5 - 59 - 10 NPK fertiliser adulterate to one - eighth posture and provender once a week . Stop feeding if it begins to lose foliage color .
Feeding Other Bromeliads
Bilbergias are epiphytic bromeliads . They do considerably with a monthly eating of 20 - 20 - 20 NPK at half strong suit during the originate season . Guzmanias can be fed with dim - release pellets tot to the soil only . Tillandsias ( air plants ) should be treat like neoregelia if easy - leaved . Hard - allow for tillandsias want low - N fertilizer at one - quarter strong suit . Soak the flora occasionally .
