Vriesea Mix TERRARIUM Blog Detail

Description

Planting and re-potting Vriesea

Vriesea, like all other Bromeliaceae plants, requires soil that is sufficiently rich and very well-drained to grow well.

Special Bromeliaceae soil mix is the best solution but you can also opt for flower plant soil mix and layer the bottom with a thick drainage medium.

• Vriesea never grows far-reaching roots, which is why a small pot, about 4 inches (10 cm) across and deep, is more than enough.
• You will only need to repot when you want to split new shoots from the main plant.

Repotting vriesea

If you wish to repot your vriesea, wait for the blooming to end.

• Vriesea roots hate having too much water.
  Double-check that the new pot has a hole in the bottom.
  Increase drainage with a layer of gravel or clay pebbles along the bottom of the pot, to make water flow through more easily.
• Good soil mix is needed. Usually, stores offer special Bromeliaceae potting soil for sale, you can use that if possible.
  The plant, when it lives indoors, needs soil mix because that is the only source for the nutrients it needs.
• Low but constant moisture levels must be maintained, which you can ensure if you spray the leaves often.
  You must rest the pot on a bed of gravel, rocks or clay marbles doused in water.

The best spot for a Vriesea

Vriesea requires temperatures that oscillate between 64 and 75°F (18 to 24°C) and never drop below 57°F (13°C).

The temperature of a house or apartment is thus ideal for growing a vriesea.

An ideal location for your vriesea is in a spot where there isn’t any direct sun on the plant.

• Vriesea can’t stand the sun’s rays when they touch its leaves directly.
  Good light but no direct sunlight is what’s needed.
• Absolutely avoid setting it near heat sources such as radiators, because moisture is what this tropical plant needs most.
• East or West-facing windows are thus usually the best call for your Vriesea.
• Vriesea plants fear drafty spots.

Watering Vriesea and adding fertilizer

Regular but moderate watering is called for because Vriesea doesn’t usually require a lot of water.

In spring and summer

Keep the soil mix barely moist and check that water drains properly.

Provide liquid leaf plant fertilizer more or less once a month to extend the blooming to the maximum.

• Water from above, ideally with water that is already at room temperature.
• It’s ok to let water collect in the little funnel where the leaves meet the stem. This is called the rosette. A couple drops a day are enough.
• Take care to dry this vulnerable spot whenever the temperature drops below 65°F (18°C).

To retain a certain moisture level, it is best to put the pot atop a bed of clay pebbles or little stones wallowing in water. Evaporation will help recreate the living environment of their native habitat without needing to overwater.

In fall and winter

Limit the watering and wait for the soil to be thoroughly dry before watering again.

• Stop adding fertilizer.