Hi, I have just bought an Aechmea Blue Rain but am unsure how to water it. I am told that it must be watered in the "cup" and that it must be kept full. Is this all the time or when it is in flower? Any help would be much appeciated.
The compost should be free draining and when you water it the water should run straight through leaving the compost just slightly damp. Never let it stand in water. The 'roots' aren't roots as we think of them, they just anchor the plant.
Don't add any fertiliser to the water. Mix up a quarter strength Baby Bio with some fresh rainwater and spray the foliage occasionally during the growing season only.
Mature plants will take up some feed/water through the roots, but 'in captivity' they've no need to.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you. Another question - having just examined my plant it is looking quite sad (it was bought from a well known supermarket). I have watered it in the cup which it drank very quickly! It is clear that it will need repotting as the roots are coming through the bottom. How easy is this and how do I do it?
i bought it from a supermarket about 2 months ago and it was fine until last week. i noticed that the leaves all the way up and turning brown and that the top two flowers are brown.i was filling the top cup with water but the soil itself was bone dry. i stood it in water for half an hour with all my orchids (i do this about once a month) and then let the excess drain off. i dont know if i have over watered it or underwatered it. it is such a pretty plant i would hate to lose it. i have also noticed that the last two days there has been a sticky sap on the table that it is standing on.. help please atwickwitch
My Aechmea has flowered beautifully for 6 months. The flower has now died which I cut off but I'm not sure what to do with it now please? It was bought in a pottery pot and seems to have 2 separate plants with leaves and 'cups' growing out of the sides. Not sure whether to try and re-pot it or fill these cups with water. It has been lovely and I would like to try to keep it.
Hi Patricia 2. It will keep alive for a long time as it dies and during that period it will keep growing "babies". You can use a sharp knife when they get to a good size, cut them off, then plant them. I have 9 from my plant. All growing fabulously. The mother plant will just eventually die. Hope this helps. You might get more than me.
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All the time - lots of info here http://houseplants.about.com/od/bromeliad1/p/Aechmea.htm
Rainwater is best.
The compost should be free draining and when you water it the water should run straight through leaving the compost just slightly damp. Never let it stand in water. The 'roots' aren't roots as we think of them, they just anchor the plant.
Don't add any fertiliser to the water. Mix up a quarter strength Baby Bio with some fresh rainwater and spray the foliage occasionally during the growing season only.
Mature plants will take up some feed/water through the roots, but 'in captivity' they've no need to.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you. Another question - having just examined my plant it is looking quite sad (it was bought from a well known supermarket). I have watered it in the cup which it drank very quickly! It is clear that it will need repotting as the roots are coming through the bottom. How easy is this and how do I do it?
i need help with my Aechmea Blue Rain too please
i bought it from a supermarket about 2 months ago and it was fine until last week. i noticed that the leaves all the way up and turning brown and that the top two flowers are brown.i was filling the top cup with water but the soil itself was bone dry. i stood it in water for half an hour with all my orchids (i do this about once a month) and then let the excess drain off. i dont know if i have over watered it or underwatered it. it is such a pretty plant i would hate to lose it. i have also noticed that the last two days there has been a sticky sap on the table that it is standing on.. help please atwickwitch
My Aechmea has flowered beautifully for 6 months. The flower has now died which I cut off but I'm not sure what to do with it now please? It was bought in a pottery pot and seems to have 2 separate plants with leaves and 'cups' growing out of the sides. Not sure whether to try and re-pot it or fill these cups with water. It has been lovely and I would like to try to keep it.
Thank you Flower lover