Bromeliads dying....recommendations?

[Jasonl512]

So I'm going on my 2nd bromeliad in my enclosure which appears to be dying just like the last one....seems to be from over watering. I have the mistking system that goes off 4 minutes a day 3 times daily. How do you guys keep your misters from over watering your plants? Any ideas? Here is a pic, you can see the bromeliad at the bottom right. Enclosure has changed for the better since this pic but the plant is still in the same location. Relocating the plant would solve the problem, I know, but as you can see, no where to relocate it and I really like how it adds color to the enclosure.

 

[Chase]

Well if you cannot move it, you could just remove it or repot it.

If you were going to repot (either transplant to a larger pot, or just put new soil in the pot with the plant), you will need either a soil that drains the water well, or you can mix sand with the soil. Sand does not hold the moisture, and adding it to the soil in the pot would allow for some drainage.

I can see it is tilted, how is it being tilted? Is the thing holding the pot blocking the drainage holes on the bottom?

Chase

 

[MeruJack]

Are you sure it's getting enough light? I have a smaller bromeliad in a smaller enclosure and it has just started to bloom in the past few days. It gets nearly full UVB light and is about 5 inches from the top of the cage. I have it sitting on top of the soil of a much larger umbrella plant. The bromeliad then drains into the umbrella plant which drains into a clear plastic one inch high plant saucer. When the saucer gets full I use a turkey baster to draw out the water which happens a couple of times a week. Maybe your plant needs to be higher, closer to the light source. Maybe.

 

[Chase]

Are you sure it's getting enough light? I have a smaller bromeliad in a smaller enclosure and it has just started to bloom in the past few days. It gets nearly full UVB light and is about 5 inches from the top of the cage. I have it sitting on top of the soil of a much larger umbrella plant. The bromeliad then drains into the umbrella plant which drains into a clear plastic one inch high plant saucer. When the saucer gets full I use a turkey baster to draw out the water which happens a couple of times a week. Maybe your plant needs to be higher, closer to the light source. Maybe.

Bromeliads are plants that are native to basically the lowest points in the rainforest. They only require low amounts of light because, being that they are from the understory, which is blocked from the towering trees.

This particular variety of bromeliad is called a Flaming Sword, or Vriesea splendens. Of course, being a plant, they do require light, but in my opinion it is getting enough light.

Jason- I'm not sure where you're located, but something you could do if you're really worried the plant is not getting the right amount of light, you could take the whole enclosure outside. The natural light will be beneficial both for the chameleon and the plants.

Chase

 

[Jasonl512]

The plant pictured has since died. I'm working on my second one right now. It's tilted because of Ezio's incessant need to climb on it. I have drilled multiple holes in the foam plant holder that the pot sits in for drainage. I can't really take it or him outside. I live in Kansas and right now it's 13 degrees outside. I have tried the sand trick with one other plant I have with success. I could try it with the bromeliad.

 

[Chase]

The plant pictured has since died. I'm working on my second one right now. It's tilted because of Ezio's incessant need to climb on it. I have drilled multiple holes in the foam plant holder that the pot sits in for drainage. I can't really take it or him outside. I live in Kansas and right now it's 13 degrees outside. I have tried the sand trick with one other plant I have with success. I could try it with the bromeliad.

Well generally speaking, bromeliads have fairly small roots, because normally they grow on trees rather than in the ground.

Give the sand a try, I think you'll see good results. I wouldn't make it mostly sand, they still like a decent amount of moisture.

Chase