Nidularium

Family. Bromeliaceae.

Origin. Brazil.

Description. Nidularium is very similar in appearance to its closest relative, Neoregelia, but there are some differences between these species, both externally and in care. The genus Nidularium includes about 25 species of evergreen, often epiphytic, perennial plants that form leaf rosettes. Nidularium differs from neoregelia in having shorter and wider inner leaves, and the color spectrum of its leaves is wider than that of neoregelia. Nidularia leaves reach a length of 60 cm, can be solid green or have all kinds of longitudinal and transverse stripes of contrasting colors. During the flowering period, the center of the leaf rosette turns red, and the edges of the leaf blades sometimes have sharp spines. Flowering is long and lasts up to several months, but the flowers themselves are not of particular interest.

Height. The rosette grows up to 45 cm in height. Nidularium develops more slowly than Neoregelia and becomes an adult only at the age of 3 years.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

A heat-loving flower that should be kept at a temperature of 18 - 27º C. In winter, it should not be exposed to temperatures below 13 ° C. Representatives of the species do not have a clearly defined dormant period and grow evenly throughout the year.

Lighting

Plants need bright light and should receive several hours of direct sunlight in the morning or evening, with shading on summer days. Bromeliads that do not receive enough light become elongated and lose color.

Care

Nidulariums have higher care requirements and should only be started by gardeners who already have experience growing bromeliads. Remove fading flowers and yellowing leaves.

Substrate

The bush prefers soils with an acidic pH, such as peat-based mixtures. Well-drained soil, a mixture of 2 parts peat, 1 part pine bark and 1 part coarse river sand or perlite will do.

Feeding

The bushes do not require frequent fertilizing. Fertilizers can be applied every month at half concentration; it is advisable to fertilize by spraying the leaves.

Flowering time

Flowering can occur at any time of the year; inconspicuous, tubular, small flowers are lost against the background of colorful leaves. After flowering, the main rosette slowly dies.

Air humidity

In spring and summer, spray the leaves with soft water, or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles to increase air humidity. The flower does not like cold drafts.

Soil moisture

The flower is watered directly into the center of the rosette - with distilled or soft rain or bottled water. Every month, the water from the rosette is drained and replaced with new water. In the warm season, water should always be in the center of the bush. If the plant is kept in a cool place in winter, water it under the root, drying the soil to half its depth between waterings.

Transplant

Nidulariums like slightly cramped conditions and it is not at all necessary to change the size of the pot when replanting. Transplantation is carried out if necessary, in the spring, and since the lifespan of these plants is short, in some cases you can do without replanting altogether.

Reproduction

In the axils of the lower leaves, daughter rosettes often form, they are planted in separate containers when each has 3-4 leaves. Rooting of young seedlings occurs in 3-4 weeks, fertilizing begins after another 3 months. Nidulariums bloom at the age of 3-4 years.

Pests and diseases

The plant sheds its leaves when exposed to low temperatures. Leaves become deformed and dry out when exposed to direct sunlight. Black spots appearing on the leaves indicate excessive watering. The tips of the leaves dry out when there is insufficient air humidity.

Among the harmful insects, plants can be annoyed by mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, and aphids.

Note

This plant lives only 3 - 4 years and dies after flowering.

Hydroponics

Many species grow well in hydroponics.