Aechmea Fasciata Primera Silver Vase Urn Plant Bromeliad With Pink Flower 50 - 60cm
Aechmea fasciata Also known us Urn Plant and Silver Vase is an exotic-looking flowering plant from the bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) family.
Aechmea, is an evergreen with rosettes of distinctive variegated or banded leaves of silvery grey, often with spiny edges. A stunning, long lasting, bright pink flower grows in the center of the plant. In spite of their exotic appearance, growing an Aechmea bromeliad is actually very simple. Read on and learn how to care for Aechmea bromeliads.
Despite its exotic appearance and tropical nature, this bromeliad adapts well to living as a potted house plant.
Symbolism: The silvery colour of Aechmea ’s leaves has shaped its symbolic meaning. The plant represents the same values as silver, such as purity, strength, clarity and focus.
Epiphytic Nature: Aechmea fasciata is an epiphytic bromeliad, which means it often grows on trees or other surfaces in its natural habitat, rather than in the ground. It uses its root system for support and not for absorbing nutrients.
Watering: Aechmeas are epiphytes aand in nature grow attached to other plants anr even rocks. They get the moisture and nutrients they need through their foliage. It’s best to keep the vase, cup, urn or tank (the center where the flower arises out of) 1/4 to 1/2 way full of water.Keep the plant's urn filled with water at all times and change it weekly. Water regularly to keep the soil lightly moist, but not soggy. Don't allow the urn to dry out for very long.
Light: Aechmeas like bright light, like near an east or west window. They need this exposure to bring out the variegation in their foliage & also to flower. They’ll do okay in lower light for a few weeks but if you’re growing 1 for the long haul, bright is best. Just be sure to keep it out of direct, hot sun because it’ll burn.
Humidity/ Temperature: Average on both is fine. Just know that Aechmeas prefer good air circulation.
Origin: Achmea fasciata is native to the rainforests of Brazil. Specifically, it is found in the southeastern regions of Brazil, where it thrives in the lush and humid tropical
Toxicity: Not toxic to pets!
Flowering:The flowering period can last several weeks to a few months, depending on growing conditions.As sad as it may seem, most bromeliads are one time bloomers. Your beautiful inflorescence will someday cease to be ornamental. Its bright color will dull and eventually brown. But before you toss your bromeliad in the trash, refusing to grow more attached to a plant that is destined to die off regardless of the amount of care you provide it, there are some things you should know.
When a bromeliad plant reaches maturity it will stop producing leaves and the flower will bloom into a beautiful, unique formation. At this point, the healthy bromeliad will produce offshoot plants from the base called pups. Pups are exact clones of the mother plant and are her way of continuing her legacy. So while the mother plant is preparing for the inevitable, it is leaving you with even more plants to care for in the future. Proper harvesting of the pups can lead to numerous beautiful bromeliads and the potential for an ongoing generation of bromeliads for your enjoyment.
What is a bromeliad Pup ?
A pup is the offset of another bromeliad plant. Pups can form at anytime but this most often occurs after your bromeliad has bloomed.
Once a mature bromeliad reaches the point where it has a healthy bloom and a strong core, the original plant (known as the mother) will stop producing leaves and will begin producing its next generation of plants. Pups will not reveal a bloom at this point but you will be able to identify the cup forming as it grows upward from the base of the mother. It is possible to for the mother plant to have multiple offsets growing at the same time. When these pups reach a certain size they can be harvested, planted, and cared for on their own. The mother will continue to thrive and produce additional offsets for the next year or two.
WHEN AND HOW TO REMOVE BROMELIAD PUPS
The longer the pups are left attached to the mother plant, the faster they will reach their own maturity. By leaving these offsets attached, they are able to take in nourishment from their mother, expediting their growth. However, removing the pups when they are smaller will allow the original bromeliad to focus the entirety if its energy on throwing even more pups. The choice on when to harvest is yours depending on your intentions.
Bromeliad pups can be safely removed when they are 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the mother plant. Another good indicator that the offsets can survive on their own is the presence of roots. Root formation is not necessary for a pup to survive so don’t be alarmed if they don’t exist yet.
Use a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors to remove your new plant, cutting as close to the mother plant as possible without injuring it. Sometimes there will be an outer leaf shielding the base of the pup. You can gently peel this leaf away to reveal the entire base.
Once the pups have been removed, simply replace the soil around the mother plant and it should continue to provide you with additional offsets.
HOW TO POT BROMELIAD OFFSETS
After the pup has been harvested from the mother, dip the cut ends in a fungicide and rooting hormone before potting it individually. Prepare a small 4″ plant pot with a light, well-draining medium. Because a pup’s root system is limited or non-existent, you may find the plant to be a little top heavy with nothing to anchor it down. When placing your new plant in within the pot take care not to set it too deeply in the potting mix in an effort to support its weight. Instead, use wood sticks or stakes to hold the plant up until it produces a root system that is able to withstand its own weight.
You will receive a very similar plant to the one in the picture. It may or may not be blooming at the time of your purchase.
This plant is supplied in plastic nursery pot:
Ø - 15 cm x h - 14 cm