Dividing Guzmanias

Lees in Afrikaans

Guzmanias are bromeliads that produce vibrant star-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours. They are popular houseplants to display in bright, natural light. What appear to be flowers are flower bracts in yellow, purple, scarlet or red, which last for two months or more. There are two sides to the cultivation of these epiphytes. The mother plant will die after flowering, at the same time producing quite a few pups that can be removed and divided up to create more plants.

The offsets, known as pups are usually separated from the mother plant when they are about 1/3 of the size of the original plant.

What to do

• Cut off the old flower stalk.
• Remove the plant from its container.
• Gently separate the pups from each other with sharp scissors.
• Replant the pups in separate pots filled with commercial orchid mixture or a potting soil that drains well.
• Keep the pots in a shady, humid place while the roots are setting.
• Don’t over-water but rather keep the growing medium on the dry side to prevent root rot.

Aftercare of Guzmanias

Guzmanias need medium indirect light and thrive in a warm room with good humidity. As the species originates in a shadier habitat than most other bromeliads it will tolerate lower light conditions. Don’t let plants get cold or dry in winter.

Fill the central well from which the new flower stalk will arise about ¼ – ½ full of water, which should be flushed out and replaced regularly with fresh water to prevent bacterial build up.

Mist spray the plants regularly in hot weather for extra humidity, and also moisten the soil in the pots now and again.

Very light fertilising can be done by spraying it on the leaves of the plant once or twice a year. As guzmanias are epiphytic they take up their nourishment through their leaves.