Cryptbergia

Family. Bromeliaceae.

Origin. Is a hybrid of Cryptanthus and Billbergia.

Description. Cryptbergia is a perennial herbaceous evergreen plant that forms a basal rosette of long, strap-shaped, attractive, curved leaves up to 30 cm long. The color of the leaves varies from green, pink, bronze to dark burgundy. Some plant species have leaves covered with white scales. The foliage of Cryptbergia is denser compared to Cryptanthus. The edges of the leaf blades often have small thorns. The flowers are small, cream, white or greenish, appear in the center of the rosette.

Height. 20 - 30 cm. 

Temperature conditions

Keep year-round in moderately cool conditions at a temperature of 16 - 18 ° C. Does not like hot summer weather. In winter, do not expose the plant to temperatures below 12 ° C. 

Lighting

Bright but reflected sunlight. If exposed to direct sunlight, leaf burns may occur.

Care

Compared to its parents, cryptbergia is quite easy to grow indoors. Promptly remove old, yellowed or damaged leaves and wilted flowers. 

Substrate

Nutritious, well-drained soil; a mixture of peat, vermiculite, perlite, coarse sand and leaf humus is suitable.

Feeding

During the growing season from spring to autumn, feed with fertilizers for bromeliads or a solution for hydroponics. Fertilizers are diluted to half the recommended dose and applied every month. The bushes are very responsive to feeding and develop large, brightly colored leaves.

Purpose

Valuable decorative foliage plant.

Flowering time

Flower stalks with buds can appear at any time of the year, but the main value of this species is its brightly colored foliage.

Air humidity

Cryptbergia is more adapted to the dry air of living quarters, but it is also advisable to spray it.

Soil moisture

Water very sparingly, drying the soil almost completely each time. In winter, the soil should dry out to 2/3 of its depth. In spring, the frequency of watering is gradually increased as soon as the first signs of growth appear. It is advisable to use softened water for irrigation. 

Transfer

Replant in the spring, but only if necessary - if the pot has become too crowded or the soil needs to be replaced. 

Reproduction

Only vegetative, with the help of daughter rosettes, which are often formed near the mother plant.

Pests and diseases

The tips of the leaves turn brown when the air temperature is too high. Remember that the higher the temperature, the higher the humidity should be. The bushes stretch out and look sick when they do not have enough light. Cryptbergias rot if they are kept in a room that is too cold and exposed to excess humidity.

Pests sometimes include scale insects and whiteflies.

Note

These plants live long enough indoors with proper care.