|
 From
eastern Brazil, this popular species makes a rosette of rather thin
leaves, bright green above but with a grayish waxy coating on the
underside. The 18 in (45 cm) flowering stem terminates in a
much-branched panicle without obvious bracts, the flowers with
teardrop-shaped shiny red calyces and short violet petals. Most
commonly grown is Aechmea f. var. discolor, with leaves more
purplish especially on the underside.Hardiness zone from 11 To 12.
Flowering colors: Red, Violet
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. |
