Indoor plants create coziness, comfort in the house and make the atmosphere more lively. But blooming representatives of the flora look especially bright and picturesque. This includes guzmania. Caring for such a flower at home is relatively simple, but at the same time requires some knowledge from the grower.
Guzmania plant
The birthplace of this tropical flower is America. It belongs to the bromeliad family. In natural conditions, guzmania grows on open mountain slopes and in forests. In the wild, this plant, being epiphytic, develops on the bark of dying trees.
Guzmania has long green leaves collected in rosettes and bright beautiful flowers. They look quite catchy and expressive, outwardly resemble cones. Among more than 100 species of this plant, not only wild ones are distinguished, but also many indoor ones.
Guzmania reed
Its second name is “scarlet star”. This is one of the most popular species. The rosette of leaves of reed guzmania has the shape of a star. Bracts, depending on variety, are red or pink, less often yellow, orange and white. Such flowers grow well in low light and do not tolerate direct sunlight.
Guzmania blood red
Blood red guzmania has long and wide leaves, cascading. The rosette is wide, due to which the plant seems very lush, the flowers are painted in a rich red or orange color, while in the center and along the edges the shade becomes closer to yellow or green.
Guzmania Tsana (Zana)
The leaves of the plant are drooping, painted in green, their surface is smooth, glossy. Representatives of some varieties have horizontal stripes and variegations on the foliage. The bracts have a red tint, the flowers are yellow.
When transplanted guzmania
Immediately after the purchase, guzmania must be identified in a new pot. In the future, this event is carried out if necessary - as the plant grows, if the old container becomes too tight. It is highly undesirable to carry out a transplant during the flowering period, otherwise, due to the stress suffered, the plant may lose its stems and wither. The optimal transplant time is after the death of the peduncle or when the flower releases young shoots.
Substrate
Guzmania soil should not contain ordinary soil. The best choice in this case is a special substrate for bromeliads. In extreme cases, it is allowed to use the soil mixture for orchids or ferns. Some gardeners prefer to prepare the soil on their own. To do this, mix sand, sphagnum and peat, and add one part of the turf soil to one part of this mixture.
Guzmania grows well in neutral soils, the acidity of which is in the range of 5.5-7.0 pH. And so that the root system does not suffer from stagnation of water, a drainage layer must be laid under the soil mixture.
Pot
You should not choose a pot too large for guzmania, as its root system is relatively small. It is better to stop at a container with a diameter of not more than 12 cm. But it should be remembered that many varieties give a high stem, and therefore the flowerpot can turn over. To avoid this situation, a flower pot is best placed in a pot.
How is the transplant performed?
Before transplanting guzmania should prepare a suitable pot size. Pebbles are laid in the first layer to ensure good drainage, then they are filled with a substrate, which is preliminarily calcined. This event provides the prevention of fungal, infectious diseases and does not allow pests to attack a weakened flower. Next, the plant is removed from the old flowerpot along with an earthen lump. This condition is mandatory, since the roots of guzmania are very delicate, and if you start to clear them of soil, they will break. The flower is transplanted, leaving a neck over the soil surface. Soil is not crushed. In conclusion, it remains only to top up the substrate and moisten it well. This method is suitable for transplantation of both adult plants and young rooted layering.
Creating the right lighting
Guzmania flower prefers light partial shade. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the color intensity begins to decrease, leaves and bracts wither and wilt. Therefore, it is better to place such a plant on the windows that overlook the east or west side. If the window is south, then in this case it is necessary to make a protective visor. And with a constant presence on the north side, the flower may not produce peduncles. In winter, it is advisable to rearrange the guzmania on a more illuminated window sill or organize additional lighting.
Temperature mode
Caring for guzmania at home involves the creation of an optimal temperature regime. Since this plant is thermophilic, in the summer it can be kept at room temperature - about +22 .. + 25 ˚. But it is important to ensure that the room has good air circulation without drafts. If in the summer it gets too stuffy and dry, a cooler place must be found for the flower. In winter, the requirements for the temperature regime change - at this time of the year guzmania will feel good at a temperature of +15 ... + 20 ˚. However, at the same time, it is extremely undesirable to place it near heating devices, otherwise the leaves will begin to dry out.
Optimum humidity
Guzmania is hygrophilous and does not tolerate dry air, so it needs regular spraying. To do this, use clean water (can be filtered or settled), which is poured into the spray gun. When spraying, particles of water fall on the leaves of the plant and collect in the outlet. However, in the heat these stocks quickly evaporate, so the procedure in the summer is carried out every other day and reduce the frequency of spraying with the onset of autumn. Moreover, if the room temperature is more than +20 20, it is better not to humidify the air. If the thermometer is low, too much zeal should be given to spraying, otherwise the foliage and root will begin to rot.
Proper watering
Sometimes flower growers make a huge mistake by watering guzmania to the very root. Doing this categorically is impossible, since the root system of this plant is very vulnerable and can be damaged if it is excessively wet. Water must be poured directly into the outlet, filling it a little more than half. In spring and summer, guzmania is watered every day, sometimes several times a day as the water evaporates from the outlet. At the same time, once a month, it should dry completely - thus, a new portion of moisture will be fresh. When the air temperature drops, the outlet is rarely moistened and carefully moistened, and when the indicators drop below + 10 ° C, it is completely dried out, preventing a “cold burn”.
Fertilizer application
This representative of the bromeliad family does not need a large amount of fertilizer. It receives a sufficient portion of nutrients from the substrate. Top dressing is applied mainly during the flowering period, when the plant spends a lot of energy on the production of peduncles. At this time, the flower is stimulated with liquid fertilizers, which are diluted with water according to the instructions. The finished solution is poured mainly into a socket in a socket. From mid-spring to the end of summer, guzmania is fed once a month, in autumn and winter - less often, as a rule, once every three months. If you notice that the leaves begin to lose elasticity, and the color of the flower stalks has become less intense, then in this case it is advisable to use potash fertilizers.
Flowering Care
Blooming guzmania will require special conditions of detention. Firstly, good lighting, and secondly, plentiful watering, and thirdly, regular top dressing and, fourthly, constant humidification of the air. And in order for the inflorescences to form faster, experienced growers recommend placing a slice of fresh apple directly on the substrate in a flower pot and cover everything with a plastic bag. This fruit contains ethylene, which after some time begins to stand out in the air, thereby stimulating the flowering process of the plant. But be careful - there should be no rot on the apple.
It is sometimes difficult to achieve flowering of guzmania. Often this happens when keeping it in the wrong conditions. In addition, only adult plants that are at least 3 years old are capable of producing inflorescences. Therefore, do not worry if your copy has not bloomed - perhaps it is still too young.
In general, if you clearly know how to care for guzmania in a pot, and strictly adhere to all the rules, then in due time it will certainly please you with beautiful magnificent flowering.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
Guzmania propagation is carried out at the end of the flowering period. It is at this time that measures should be taken that will help extend the life of the plant and prevent its death. After the flower stalk withers, the bush begins to die, but before dying, it manages to give several lateral processes. They form in the axils of the leaves located in the lower part. The processes are transplanted into separate flowerpots after they are sufficiently strong and build a strong root system - after about 3-4 months. Previously, this is not recommended, otherwise a weak plant simply will not take root.
So, after guzmania has faded and the upper leaves have begun to dry, we transfer it to a dark place and remove the peduncle. Thus, the plant will be able to direct its efforts to the formation of seeds, which, in turn, will positively affect the growth rate of layers. Watering the mother bush during this period is necessary under the root, otherwise the stem can rot. And when the length of the process reaches 12-15 cm, it can be cut off (along with the root!). Next, the place of cut must be treated with garden var. Young plants are planted in a special substrate for representatives of the bromeliad family. At first, the shoot needs high humidity, so the pot is covered with plastic wrap. After the flower is well rooted and grows, caring for it is carried out according to the standard scheme.
Guzmania propagation by seeds
Growing guzmania from seeds is quite difficult. This process is time-consuming, lengthy, and therefore it is rarely used. Often they get an adult strong flower that is about to bloom. But if you decide to start growing yourself, then for this, in addition to the seeds themselves, you will need a special soil mixture and potassium permanganate. To begin with, we wash the planting material in a weak solution of manganese and dry it thoroughly. Sow the seeds into the substrate (they do not need to be planted to a depth). Being in the light, seeds will give friendly shoots. Now it is necessary to build a greenhouse: cover the container with polyethylene and leave it in a warm room at a temperature of at least +20 ... + 25 ˚. Every day, the soil must be moistened with spray water and ventilate the plantings. After a few weeks, thin shoots should appear on the surface of the substrate, which can be dived in a couple of months. And after another 5-6 months, they are planted in separate pots. With proper care at home, guzmania blooms for 3-4 years.
Pests
Guzmania is able to quickly adapt to new conditions and is characterized by high resistance to pests. However, parasite attacks do occur. Most often, the plant is affected by a scab, a spider mite and a mealybug. Mites and insects prefer to parasitize on the leaves whose juice they feed on. To combat them, it is customary to use a soap solution that wipes the affected areas, or insecticides when there are too many pests.
Disease
Guzmania flower rarely gets sick, and problems arise mainly when the rules of agricultural technology are violated. The leaves and stem of the plant may be affected by a fungus that appears as gray or black spots. To cure the specimen, use a fungicide solution. With excessive watering, rotting of the root system is possible. If rot attacked your green pet, then this will lead to wilting of the stem and loss of bracts. Often with such a disease, the flower cannot be saved.
The plant does not bloom
If your bromeliad does not bloom, then it needs additional resources. Perhaps she lacks moisture, nutrients, the room is too cold, etc. In this case, it is important to make the necessary adjustments - to ensure proper care of guzmania at home is easy. In addition, as mentioned above, the flower may be too young to give bright peduncles.
Guzmania is stunted
A plant may lag behind in a deficiency of nutrients in the substrate. Feeding will help here. Also, the growth of guzmania is somewhat suspended before the beginning of flowering - this is due to the fact that in this period it spends its energy on the formation of peduncles.
Leaves turn yellow and dry
Most often, guzmania dries due to lack of moisture. Too dry air adversely affects the plant and as a result, the ends of the leaves begin to dry out. As for yellowing, the reason lies in the presence of parasites, in particular scabies. Small pests suck out juices from the plant and at the same time cover the surface of the leaves with secretion. The green part of the plant cannot breathe normally, which is why the process of photosynthesis is disrupted. The fight against scale insects is the use of special chemicals.
Guzmania - a special plant
With proper care, guzmania and at home will surely delight you with bright flowering. But it is famous not only for its beauty - several interesting facts are associated with this flower. According to signs, he brings harmony, pacification to the house, he charges peace with positive energy. Often this plant is located in the bedroom. Do you know why? It is believed that it activates male power. And if there are several guzmanias in the house, then such a flower garden will every day increase the mood of residents, improve their well-being, provide material stability and improve family well-being.