Guzmania, or growing guzmania, is a tropical plant native to Central and South America. The plant is known for its colorful, long-lasting flowers, which come in a variety of colors including red, orange, yellow, and pink. Guzmania is a popular houseplant and is easy to care for, making it a great choice for those new to plant ownership.
Is it easy to grow Guzmania plant? Although this plant is easy to grow, it does have some small difficulties. One of the main problems is that it is very susceptible to mealybugs. These pests can cause the leaves to turn yellow and eventually die. Another difficulty is that the plant does not like to be disturbed, so it is best to leave it in one spot and not move it around.
How big can it be? Sometimes, the total height of the plant can be up to 75 cm. The width is also up to 60 cm on average. However, the height does not usually exceed 40 cm.
How fast is the growth? Because they are epiphytes, they grow on other plants and get their nutrients from the air, rain, and debris that collects around them. They have long, thin leaves that grow in a rosette pattern and come in a variety of colors, including green, red, orange, and yellow. Guzmania plants produce flowers that bloom for a few weeks and then die. The flowers are typically red, but they can also be white, pink, or orange.
| Plant Form | Herbaceous |
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Origin | Central and South America: Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia. |
How long is the lifespan? Although the plant blooms only once in its lifetime, a Guzmania plant can live for several years. After the plant flowers, the rosette will live for 1-2 years. It's best to separate the young rosettes for further growing the plant. Don't wait for the mother socket to completely wither.
What is the ideal temperature? The Guzmania plant is thermophilic, meaning it prefers a relatively constant temperature throughout the year. In summer, the ideal temperature range is 64.4-77 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter, the plant should not be exposed to temperatures below 50-53.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
What about the humidity? known that this plant does not tolerate low humidity, the optimal content in the air for it is 50-60%. It is best to spray the plant daily with soft water, taking care not to hit the inflorescence. The drainage hole at the bottom of the pot should be covered with wet sphagnum moss.
What amount of light this plant needed? Sometimes, too much light will cause the bracts, or leaves, of the plant to turn pale. A bright, non-directional light is best for the plant.
What is good soil for Guzmania? So, the best Guzmania plant soil is a light soil from a deciduous mixture of humus, sand, peat, and sphagnum. You can use one part peat and coarse sand. The soil should drain at least a third of the volume of the pot.
How much I must water Guzmania? The Guzmania plant does not need much water. You should only water it when the soil is dry. In the summer, you should water it about once a week. In the winter, you should only water it every few weeks.
About fertilizer. Sometimes, people ask me how to care for their Guzmania plant, and what type of fertilizer is best to use. Here is some basic information on the subject. Guzmania is a genus of over 120 species of flowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The genus is named after Spanish botanist Anastasio Guzman. Guzmanias are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants or trees, deriving their nutrients and moisture from the air, rain, and debris that collects around them. Most species are native to humid mountain regions and rainforests. Guzmanias are popular houseplants because they are relatively easy to care for and they flower reliably indoors. They are also long-lasting, with some plants blooming for several years. To keep your Guzmania plant healthy, it is important to fertilize it regularly. From spring to autumn, every 2-3 weeks, you should apply a strongly diluted soluble fertilizer to the plant. You can also spray the leaves with fertilizer for orchids.
How to reproduce Guzmania? If you want to propagate Guzmania, you have two options: children from the mother plant, or by dividing the bush. To separate the baby, use a sharp knife, and sprinkle the cut with charcoal. After drying, wrap the baby with sphagnum or sprinkle with peat and put in the main substrate, where germinate, regularly sprinkling, keep in the shade. Scions will bloom only after 3-4 years. You can propagate seeds in a mini-greenhouse at a temperature of 77 ° F, which is sown in a mixture of sand and sphagnum (seeds only slightly sprinkled with soil). Seedlings appear in 2-3 weeks. When they have 2-3 leaves (3-4 months), the seedlings should be dived and transplanted into separate pots.
Why Guzmania won't bloom? Sometimes, when the plant is blooming, the bracts will be so large that they obscure the tiny flowers in the center. The bracts are what give the plant its color, though, so this is actually a good thing. The bracts will stay on the plant for 1.5 to 2 months, giving you a long time to enjoy the beauty of the Guzmania plant.
How much I must water Guzmania? The best time to transplant Guzmania is after the plant has flowered. At the end of flowering, carefully remove the plant from its transport pot and transfer it to the main substrate. It's important not to deepen the plant when transplanting. The next transfer will be when you separate the offspring.
How to care the plant? Eventually, the bromeliad will bloom, and after blooming, it will die. But, before it dies, it will produce offsets, or pups, around the base of the plant. These pups can be removed and potted up to continue the plant life cycle. Guzmania plants like bright, indirect sunlight and should be watered when the potting mix is dry to the touch. If the plant is kept too wet, the leaves will start to yellow and rot.
What is the challenge when caring Guzmania plant? Since this is a tropical plant, it is very demanding on the Growing conditions. The main problems are: possible Jose scale, rarely mealybug, spider mites. Drying of leaves and brown tips are observed at too low humidity. At a low temperature, the leaves wilt and rot may develop. Roots and base of the stem rot with an excess of moisture in the soil, the plant can die. Child sockets are not formed when there is a shortage of food. Gray spots on the leaves can occur when there is a fungus infection. Brown spots occur with sunburn.
Are Guzmania poisonous? Unless you have a very specific allergy to this plant, it is not considered toxic. However, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional or Poison Control if you have any concerns.
