Aechmea recurvata – bromeliad

Description

Aechmea recurvata – Native to Central South America this bromeliad grow 8” tall and 20” wide with dense tubular rosette of narrow triangular channeled often strongly recurved dark to mid green leaves with curved spiny edges. The central leaves turn red at flowering time and in strong sun. Egg shape inflorescences 2 ½” long have red bracts almost hiding the pinkish white or purple flowers 1 ½” long followed by egg shape white fruit. Zones 9-15 Aechmea – There are about 200 species of bromeliads in this genus. Often spread by horizontal roots growing above or below ground, it’s an evergreen native to South America and the West Indies and some from South America. The name Aechmea is of Greek origins with numerous ways to pronounce it. Its usually a rock dweller conserving water in its vase like structure formed by rosette of stiff, strap like to triangular like leaves. The leaves may be barred or striped otherwise patterned with prickly edges in some species. They have long lasting brightly colored tubular flowers and triangular (petal like) bracts usually grown in a warm greenhouses and used as a houseplant. Grow in bromeliad potting mix in bright filtered light with moderate to high humidity and excellent air circulation. Apply low or fertilizer with no nitrogen monthly. Keep central stalk filled with water. Prone to scale insects, mealy bugs especially when flowering, Helminthosporium leaf spot, and crown rots caused by a variety fungi, bacteria are common and excess watering also contributes to fungal root rots.