Bromeliad Pups

In the Garden > Gardening Tips, Books, Techniques and Tools

Don showed how to propagate bromeliads by simply dividing offsets, or ‘pups’, from the mother plant.

Bromeliads are native to tropical America. Many are epiphytes, meaning they live on other plants but do not parasitise those plants. Rather than growing in soil, they are found up in the forks of tree branches, surviving mainly on the moisture and nutrients they obtain from the air. Bromeliads can be quite spectacular grown in the garden, but they also make very good pot plants.

Free bromeliads! New plants can easily be grown from offsets, also called pups. When the pups are about 15cm (6") in size, just cut them away from the mother plant with a sharp knife. Bromeliads require a light, open mix with good drainage, so pot up the pups in a 50:50 mix of standard orchid compost and ordinary potting mix. Repot the mother plant as well, as she will produce more pups! When potting bromeliads don't forget that the leaves hold water, so it's important to keep the central cup upright. This reservoir in the centre of bromeliads provides the plant with both water and nutrients, and in the rainforest forms a pond for tiny tropical frogs. Bromeliads do best in filtered light, and they don't like strong fertilisers. If you want to fertilise, apply a very weak solution of a liquid fertiliser such as Nitrosol, perhaps mixed with Seasol. Bromeliads are hardy plants. They can be grown outdoors in most areas of Australia, but they need protection from cold and frost. Some bromeliads, including guzmanias and cryptanthus, can be grown indoors, but they need a spell outdoors every now and again when they start to look tired. Choose a bromeliad appropriate to your climate.

Further information

Orchid mix costs about $5 per10 litre bag.

Both Nitrosol and Seasol (about $7 for 250ml) are readily available at nurseries, garden centres and hardware stores.

For more information on bromeliads see 'Growing Bromeliads' by The Bromeliad Society of Australia, ed. Barry E. Williams (Kangaroo Press, 1990). ISBN: 086 417 3369.

To find your nearest Bromeliad Society phone (02) 9675 6527 or email bromsocaust@optusnet.com.au

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