|
 Reminiscent
of a formal flower arrangement, this Brazilian species has a vase of
silvery gray leaves irregularly barred green, from which emerges in
summer a short, broad cluster of mauve-blue flowers among crowded,
spiky bracts of a most delicate clear pink. The rosettes, up to
about 18 in (45 cm) high, do not clump up much.
Hardiness zone 10 To 12
Plant Height approx. 60 cm
Cultivation: How aechmeas are treated depends very much on climatic
conditions. In the humid tropics and subtropics they grow happily
outdoors, most preferring filtered sun. Despite being epiphytes,
they will grow on the ground as long as soil is open and high in
humus, and the bed is raised slightly. Some tolerate surprisingly
cool conditions and can be grown outdoors well into the temperate
zones, so long as frost is absent. In more severe climates they are
grown as indoor or conservatory plants, potted in a coarse medium
just like many orchids. Propagate by division (separating pups with
a sharp knife), or from seed. |
