Posted by
mellielong (Lutz, Florida - Zone 9b) on Mar 8, 2017 4:16 AM concerning plant:
This is a cultivar of Aechmea caudata. It's one of the first bromeliads I ever bought. I used velcro tape to hold it in the crotch of a large oak tree on the corner of the property and it attached itself within months. It's a reliable bloomer for me, blooming every spring. The only year it didn't bloom was last year when the invasive sword ferns you see in my picture were smothering it. I do what I can to keep it clear, but it's a constant battle. The bloom first appears as a dull orange, then gradually brightens before putting out the actual yellow flowers. Like most bromeliads, this one has grown bigger over time, creating new pups as the older plants die off. If you're looking for a low maintenance, reliable bloomer, I would highly recommend this bromeliad. It never gets any extra water than what nature provides, and I don't fertilize it, yet it has only failed to bloom once in about the last ten years.
