We turn the house into a tropical garden - the main recommendations for caring for Guzmania. Guzmania collection plant - a stylish element of Guzmania decor

Guzmania is a representative of the genus of evergreen herbs of the Bromeliad family.

The name was given to her in honor of the discoverer - the Spanish explorer of the living world South America A. Gusman.

On a note: characteristic guzmania and other bromeliads - a rosette formed by the base of the leaves, where water accumulates.

Plant features:

• root system air, does not firmly connect to the ground.
• The leaves are elongated, straight, pointed towards the ends. By color - monophonic or variegated, reach a length of 25-45 cm.
• There is little in common between flowers and peduncles of different species - they can be of different sizes, shapes, colors.
• The beauty of the plant is given by bright bracts that are adjacent to the peduncle or open strongly. Not everyone knows that bright decorative petals are not a flower, but its frame.
• Bracts with flowers create a spectacular contrast with the leaves. Their color depends on the variety and varies from bright scarlet and pink to lilac and white.

Exotic flowering lasts at least 3 months, bracts remain decorative for up to half a year.

Growing at home different types, the most common: Guzmania Tempo, mosaic, blood red, Donnel-Smith. They all bloom in different time, therefore, by growing several varieties, you will provide yourself with beauty for the whole year.

Please note: the life of Guzmania is subject to cycles: each bush blooms once, after flowering it dies off, but leaves an heir - a baby process.

Conditions necessary for Guzmania

Before buying an exotic plant, it is advisable to get acquainted with the features of its cultivation. In the average room conditions he will most likely begin to wither and may die.

Because the flower comes from rainforest, then he needs an appropriate microclimate. Most important aspects is moisture, heat, light.

Humidity

The optimal indicators for exotic are quite high and are in the range from 60 to 80%. Greenhouses are best suited for Guzmania, but humid conditions can be created at home. There are three ways to do this:

1. Keeping in an aquarium, the bottom of which is lined with moss or covered with wet sand (expanded clay). Guzmania also develop well in the compositions of florariums, where their own microclimate is preserved.
2. Spraying twice or thrice daily with filtered or at least settled water. In winter, a single procedure is enough, in the summer heat, the number of water sprays can be increased.
3. Household humidifiers - the most effective option for a large collection, but they don't work locally and create tropics throughout the room. In winter, you can humidify the air by throwing wet towels over the radiators.

An important point: when spraying, make sure that water drops do not settle on the bracts - this shortens flowering.

Also, do not allow aggressive rays to fall on wet leaves - light, refracted, can cause burns.

Temperature

Guzmania loves warmth and temperature stability without sudden changes. Before blooming the flowers, the temperature must be maintained at least 23-25º C. Then 21-22º C will be enough. For the winter, do not leave the flower on cold windowsills, provide it with a warm corner without drafts, where the temperature is around 18º C.

An indoor flower can withstand force majeure for a short time: a temperature minimum of 13º C and a maximum of up to 35º C. Despite the thermophilicity, it is undesirable to keep it in heat above 27º C for a long time. The leaves will begin to actively evaporate moisture, not having time to replenish the resource, so their tips may dry up.

Lighting

For the normal development of guzmania, at least 8-hour daylight hours are needed. Saturated bright, but diffused light suits her, direct rays are categorically contraindicated. In summer, the flower is more comfortable on windowsills oriented to the west or east, in winter - on the southern windows.

If it is not possible to remove the pot from the burning light, window panes are shaded with parchment, matte film or paper.

How to care for a flower at home

Watering rules

The main mistake of novice flower growers is wetting only the soil mixture. Guzmania receives moisture from leaf rosettes and air, to a much lesser extent - with the help of roots. Therefore, watering guzmania, regardless of flowering, is carried out in a rosette formed by leaves.

Please note: Guzmania is sensitive to hardness and water quality. For water procedures, it is advisable to use soft filtered water, if you use tap water - let it stand for at least 48 hours, drain the sediment.

In order for an indoor flower to successfully develop without getting sick, adhere to the following rules:

• The socket is filled with moisture by 2/3, after evaporation, water is added.
• in summer and spring time socket must not be empty. Complete replacement water is made every month.
• Under ideally humid greenhouse conditions, the substrate can not be watered at all, sometimes giving the plant a “rain”.
• The frequency of watering depends on the conditions: in the heat, you should constantly add water to the outlet, moisten the soil with signs of drying out. In winter, to prevent decay, the moisture is drained from the outlet, and the substrate is moistened every 1-2 weeks.
• Guzmania growing on a bromeliad tree is watered every 1.5-2 weeks in a special way. They are removed from the support, the roots are wrapped, placed in warm water. After saturation and moisture draining, the indoor flower is placed back.

Overflow and moisture stagnation tropical exotic does not tolerate - it is better to slightly dry the plant than to let the moisture stagnate.

top dressing

The role of fertilizers for indoor exotic is insignificant, since in natural environment he does well without them. At home cultivation it is fed for active flowering.

It is advisable to buy supplements designed for bromeliad crops. In order not to expose the plant to overfeeding, when using fertilizers, it is important to be careful and make the solution 5 times less concentrated than what is written on the bag. The solution is applied by spraying or poured into the outlet once a month and a half.

An important point: when choosing a top dressing, see the composition, it should not contain copper and boron compounds, which have a toxic effect on guzmania.

To learn more about bromeliads, watch this video with expert advice:

Transplant and reproduction

Unlike traditional houseplants, bromeliads do not need to be repotted regularly. Replacement of the substrate and pot is needed after purchase or when the soil is crushed and rotting.

Transplant algorithm

When replacing the transport soil, the transshipment method is used:

1. Prepare a shallow but wide pot. Pour drainage material at the bottom.
2. Make your own substrate or use a store-bought potting mix designed for bromeliads.
3. Gently pull out the guzmania without shaking off the old soil from the roots.
4. Place in a new container, cover with fresh substrate, lightly tamp.
5. Water the plant.

In order for the roots to gain a foothold in the fresh substrate, fix the flower on a temporary support. Due to the weight of the socket, it can tilt on its side and fall out of the pot.

Soil mixtures

For transplanting and breeding room guzman mixtures can be used:

• ground fern rhizomes, sphagnum 3:1
• moss, sand, leafy soil, coniferous bark 1:1:2:2
• coarse sand, humus, soddy soil, peat 1:2:2:4

Substrate acidity indicators - from 5.5 to 7.0

reproduction

For Guzmania, nature has provided two ways to reproduce offspring: vegetative processes - children and seeds. The first option is most preferable, since young plants will bloom in 2-3 years, and when planting seeds - only after 5 years.

When the leaves of the bract begin to dry out, the flower is placed in a shaded place to accelerate the growth of children. The shoots that have grown to 1/3-1/2 of the height of the mother bush are separated with a sterile knife and planted in the substrate described above. To speed up rooting, cover the children with a plastic cap.

For the second breeding option, the peduncle is not cut off, but the seeds are allowed to ripen. For sowing prepare a soil mixture of peat and coarse sand. Seeds are sown on the surface without deepening, the soil is moistened, and covered with glass from above.

The container is placed closer to light and heat (22-25º C). Seedlings appear in 15-20 days. When they grow up and get stronger, they dive into the standard soil for Guzmania.

Conclusion

At first glance, it seems that caring for Guzmania is complex and time-consuming. But this will only happen with your first flower, until you get the necessary experience. In fact, it is important to observe only three main points:

1. Humidity.
2. Warmly.
3. Light.

And also, competently grow children so as not to disturb the cyclical life of the plant and enjoy flowering every year.

Guzmania - beautiful flower which is of tropical origin. At the same time, caring for it is simple, the plant blooms beautifully and multiplies at home. In order for Guzmania to please the eye for a long time, you need to know its natural habitat conditions and choose the right soil, maintain optimal air temperature and lighting, and water in a special way.

flower description

Guzmania is the Russian-language version of the name of the plant, derived from the transliteration of the scientific "guzmania". In the original, the flower is called Gusmania, because it was first discovered and described by the Spanish explorer of flora and fauna Anastasio Guzman in 1802. There are over 200 species of this evergreen herbaceous plant. At home, reed Guzmania Minor Rondo is most often grown.

Gusmania belongs to the same family as pineapples - bromeliads. In nature, it is widely distributed in Brazil, Venezuela, Central America, East India and South Florida. It is interesting that the flower grows both independently on the slopes of mountains, in forests, and on other plants. It is an epiphyte, that is, it uses trees for anchorage, but does not feed on them.

Gusmania leaves are lanceolate, have a length of 20 to 70 cm and a width of 3-4 cm. There are a variety of colors: plain green, with a red rim or stripes. They are collected in a goblet-shaped rosette, which in the wild is designed to collect food and drink - rainwater, small insects, dust, residues of other plants. The flower has a poorly developed root system, its roots are short and small and are more needed for fixing on the ground than for nutrition. Thanks to this, Gusmania can even move a few centimeters to get more light or moisture.

Flowering and reproduction

The guzmania flower is very beautiful, not only lovers, but also collectors are interested in the plant. Spectacular appearance gives a bract, which is sometimes mistaken for an inflorescence. Bright red, it is located strictly in the center of the outlet and rushes several tens of centimeters up. Less common are yellow, orange, purple and other varieties. But the real Gusmania flowers are inconspicuous. That is why nature has awarded the plant with a bright bract - so that it attracts more bees.

Guzmania blooms only once - mainly in the spring. In this case, the flower persists for 15-17 weeks, or even longer. Then the peduncle begins to gradually die off. In the end, it is cut as deep as possible. After flowering, babies appear between the leaves of Gusmania, on average 3-4 pieces. After they are fed enough, the mother plant dies - its mission is completed.

It is believed that a flower always dies after reproduction. This is not true. With enhanced care, he can live for several years and even re-produce offspring. Such cases occur, although rarely.

How to care for Guzman?

The flower is considered not too whimsical, perfect for the office and for growing at home. The main thing is to remember simple rules care, support optimal humidity and temperature. Let's analyze all the features point by point.

Watering

Perhaps the most complex issue for lovers of indoor flowers. You can equally often come across recommendations to pour water directly into the ground, spray it on the leaves or fill the outlet. The truth is somewhere in the middle. For different conditions you need your own tactics.

• In the cold season, at a temperature of 18 degrees and below, the plant is watered by spraying or bathed by dipping the pot in water for 15-20 minutes. You can moisten the soil, but rarely and only after the clod of earth is completely dry. Leaving water in the outlet at cold temperatures is extremely dangerous - the plant will rot.
• In warm weather, especially in heat and drought, Gusmania is sprayed daily. The outlet is filled as needed, there should always be water in it.

Transplant, favorite soil

Adult Guzmania does not require a transplant. At the very least, it is not recommended to do this more than once every 2 years. It needs a small pot, as the roots are small and poorly developed. The optimal size is 7cm*7cm. At the bottom of the pot must be drainer to allow excess moisture to drain freely.

Soil mix for orchids is perfect for soil. Alternatively, you can mix loose soddy soil, peat, leaf, humus in equal proportions, add sand, charcoal and pieces of bark.

A small pot makes such a weighty plant unstable. To avoid falling and damaging your pet, you can use a planter - decorative vase. For example, from ceramics or other heavy material.

reproduction

Gusmania children need to be planted no earlier than they form a rosette and grow small roots. It is recommended to wait until they reach 3/4 of the mother's size. When this happens, the whole plant should be carefully dug up and the shoots separated with a scalpel. The cut point is processed with coal or "Kornevin". Then the children are immediately rooted in the prepared soil. They should not be kept in water - they can rot. Maximum - with a small number of roots, they are placed above water for several days.

top dressing

The need for additional nutrition appears mainly during the flowering period of Guzmania. After the release of the peduncle, it is fed every 10-15 days. It is allowed to use fertilizers for flowering houseplants, as well as universal dressings marked “for bromeliads”. At the same time, the agent is diluted 4 times more than indicated in the instructions, and poured directly into the outlet.

Humidity, temperature, lighting

Gusmania loves when it's warm and humid. Optimum temperature for growth and development is 23-27 degrees. The higher it is, the more humidity should be. To this end, the plant must be often sprayed and placed next to containers with water. AT winter time guzmania can tolerate a temperature drop of up to 15 degrees, but then the air must be drier. In the cold, the risk of decay and disease increases.

The plant is light-loving, so it is better to place a flower pot on the window. So that guzmania does not get leaf burns from straight sun rays, the light needs to be made slightly diffused. For example, stick an openwork sticker on the glass, or choose the east or west side of the house to install the pot.

From the point of view of bioenergetics, guzmania has a positive effect on vitality. Grown at home, it will become a protector of sleep and mood stability. The flower perfectly cleans the air, calms, promotes positive thinking. And admiring a bright peduncle awakens creativity and gives an influx of energy. By the way, in their homeland, Gusmania is considered a plant of men. It symbolizes male longevity, strength and nobility.

Diseases and pests

Weakened or drying gusmania requires special attention. Here is a list of diseases that she suffers from especially often:

• Root rot. Appears from improper watering, excess moisture in the soil. In this case, the plant is cleared of a clod of earth and inspected for rotten parts. Then all the rot is removed, the affected areas are treated with a fungicide, or diluted potassium permanganate, or peroxide, and the cut is sprinkled with crushed coal. On the final stage dried gusmania is placed in a new soil.
• Drying of the lower leaves, leaf tips. A clear symptom of insufficient watering. To solve the problem, dry places are removed, and the guzmania itself is drunk with moisture in a small bath for 20 minutes.
• Fading of leaves or peduncle- this is a sign of either a lack of light, or natural wilting. If the peduncle is younger than 12 weeks, the plant is placed closer to the window, if older, it is cut off.
• Pale brown spots on leaves. Indicate ultraviolet burns. Gusmania needs to create a small shade and spray the leaves more often.
• Attack of scale insects, mealybug, aphids, spider mites. If these pests are found, the flower is treated soapy water or an insecticide. Infection should be suspected when the leaves are twisted, ulcers, roughness, and other defects appear on them.

Why doesn't Guzmania bloom?

A fairly popular question that worries every second, and even the first owner of a flower. This is not surprising, because Gusmania grows very slowly - within 3-5 years. Sometimes it seems that time around her froze, she lives so leisurely. You need to get used to this and learn to wait if the flower is still young.

But there are other reasons why guzmania does not bloom:

• flower diseases;
• low illumination;
• lack of moisture;
• soil poor in nutrients;
• excessive dryness of the air;
• lack of heat.

In other words, flowering does not occur due to insufficiently comfortable conditions. It is necessary to reconsider the features of care, or perhaps simply rearrange the plant to another place or room. Finally, the last reason why Guzmania does not bloom is its old age. Some unscrupulous sellers may hand new growers a plant that has already faded once. A loose rosette and possibly cut lower leaves indicate a long lifespan.

How to stimulate flowering?

Of course, the most proven and safest way to make Guzman bloom is to follow the rules of care. To check the temperature and humidity, you should use a hygrometer and a thermometer, because the estimate "by eye" is often erroneous. If the conditions for the plant are ideal, but there is still no flower, you can try original methods of stimulation.

Here are the recipes experienced flower growers share:

• Larisa, 33 years old: “I have several generations of Guzmans. If some baby does not bloom for a long time, I take a large transparent plastic bag, put 3 small ripe apples (maybe a little rotten) in it, wrap the pot and tie it tightly for several hours. After about 2 weeks of manipulation, the growth point begins to turn pink. So the seller advised me, it seems like apples emit a substance called ethylene, which guzmania needs for flowering.”
• Vitaly: “I can advise you to transplant the flower into another pot, completely changing the soil. After that, you need to spray the leaves with Epin. Personally, this helped my Guzmania, before that it had not bloomed for 6 years.
• Maria, 47 years old: “I heard that this bromeliad needs 2 months of coolness for flowering, + 7-10 degrees. But I didn’t take such risks, but simply took out the Guzmania on the balcony in early April. At the end of May, she brought it back, and - lo and behold, on the 5th day she threw out the peduncle.
• Vera Stepanovna: “I have in my flower garden and vriesia, and echmea and gusmania. They bloom only in summer, when the temperature is stable at 25 degrees. If the room is cooler, try using a greenhouse or put a pot in an aquarium."

In conclusion, guzmania at home looks like a real exotic island. Despite the specific nuances of care that you need to learn, it is easy to keep it. Once you have chosen the right place for her (warm, bright and humid), care can be limited to filling the outlet with water as it dries.

Guzmania (or rather Guzmania) is a bright spectacular herbaceous type epiphyte. Like the entire Bromeliad family, it grows in the tropics of America and Asia. It belongs to stemless plants, forms a basal rosette of long leaves, shaped like a belt. The climax of the life of Guzmania is the flowering period - it releases a very bright flower of saturated color and then dies.

Features of growing a flower

Gusmania care has its own principles and rules. Without knowing them, it is impossible to grow a full-fledged plant, although this home flower and can not be called the most capricious. Even a beginner lover of indoor plants can breed guzmania. Tropicanka is not suitable only for busy people who lack free time.

Planting Guzmania

Children are usually planted while they are still small and not blooming. The young seedling is immediately placed in a permanent pot so as not to disturb it anymore.

Optimal landing time

Guzmania does not have clearly demarcated periods of rest and vegetation, it grows and develops throughout its life span, so planting can be done at any time.

soil for the plant

The substrate must be extremely loose, permeable to air and moisture, and also slightly acidic - PH5.5-6.7. You can independently mix components such as crushed sphagnum moss and fern roots, crushed coniferous bark, alluvial river sand, peat, humus and soddy soil in equal parts.

ADVICE! Ideal for Guzmania ready ground from the store for orchids, bromeliads or ferns.

Pot selection

Guzmania has an underdeveloped root system, which consists of small roots. They take up little space, so a spacious deep container is not required. A flower pot is selected small, with a diameter of not more than 13 cm.

Before planting, the container must be weighted so that the adult overgrown guzmania does not turn it over. To do this, you can lay out the drainage from the stones to the bottom and put the pot in a heavy beautiful planter.

Tropical fragile beauty needs constant high humidity and warm content. The absence of the necessary climate will simply destroy her. If you decide to start a Gusmania, be prepared to fulfill all its requirements.

Plant location and lighting

Gusmania needs very bright lighting, but at the same time it is afraid of the direct rays of the sun that can burn the leaves. The plant can be kept directly on the windowsill of only those windows that face west or east. A flower can be placed on the south window in winter, when the sun is not so aggressive.

Air humidity

It's better to overdo it than underdo it! Not only the air around the guzmania should be moist, but also its foliage. A houseplant must be sprayed at least once a day.

IMPORTANT! The warmer the room, the high humidity need guzmania!

You can use only soft water with a minimum content of salts and lime. It must first be defended, filtered or boiled. It is allowed to use distilled water, as well as rain or melt water.

To improve the humidity in the surrounding space, Gusmania can be placed on a tray with wet pebbles, placed next to an open wide container of water, or wrap the pot with wet moss.

Temperature regime for the plant

Both in winter and in summer, the ideal temperature for guzmania is 22-26 °. It is permissible to decrease to 16-18 ° on a short time, it is impossible to keep the flower cool all the time - the tropical sissy will begin to fall ill. Heat above 30 ° is also undesirable, at such a temperature it is difficult to maintain humidity at the usual level.

How to water correctly?

All Bromeliads, including Guzmania, are watered directly into the center of the outlet, using only non-hard water without lime and chlorine impurities. These compounds have a very bad effect on the roots, forming dense plaque, through which air and useful elements do not pass.

Watering is carried out after drying the top layer of soil in moderation. Gusmania does not respond well to excessive soil moisture and stagnant water in the outlet. Small fragile roots can simply rot.

IMPORTANT! Immoderate, overly diligent watering can quickly destroy a tender plant.

A small, slow growing indoor flower needs little or no maintenance. additional food, extracting all the necessary substances from water and air. Gusmania can be fed when it begins to bloom with a complex of trace elements.

To do this, they purchase mineral fertilizer for Bromeliads and dilute it in half the concentration of the recommended dose. Top dressing is poured into the outlet or sprayed on the leaves.

ATTENTION! If the deadline has come, and Gusmania does not bloom, carry out a series of dressings with an interval of 3-4 weeks. The plant may be deficient in micronutrients.

Guzman pruning

With regard to this indoor plant, only sanitary pruning of dried and diseased leaves is used. The compact flower does not need any other types of pruning.

Trimming methods

Problematic leaves are cut off sharp knife or a pruner at the base - as close as possible. If living tissue remains open after trimming, the wound is covered with wood ash to disinfect the surface and prevent the ingress of pathogenic microbes and fungi.

Guzmania transplant

This is a one-time procedure carried out immediately after purchasing a flower in a store or garden center. The purchased plant must be moved to a permanent pot with a complete replacement of temporary soil with a stationary one.

Transplant methods

In order not to injure the slender roots of our exotic, one could use a method such as transshipment. But the store temporary substrate is absolutely not intended for the full-fledged cultivation of plants, so it is better to free the roots from it after all, gently shaking it off. Guzmania is planted in new pot and left alone for acclimatization.

IMPORTANT! The root collar is left above the soil without covering it, and the soil is not tamped so as not to impair the air supply.

reproduction

Fading, the plant itself takes care of reproduction and releases several children. To breed new flowers, it is enough to separate them from the mother and plant them separately. This process is quite easy, the only difficulty is in separating the roots of the baby. Being very fragile, they break easily or remain on an adult specimen.

Reproduction methods

There are only 2 of them:

• Vegetative - lateral processes
• Seminal.

Children can be separated only when the root system has developed enough from it to grow on its own. Usually already high shoots are separated, which have caught up with the height of the mother. In any case, the size of the baby must be at least 13-14 cm.

The processes are cut off with a sharp thin knife and the roots are very carefully separated, trying not to tear them from the baby. The wound is recommended to be treated with crushed charcoal - charcoal or activated. Reproduction by children is the most affordable and easy way.

You can try to grow guzmania from seeds. They are taken from a plant that has faded and formed a seed box. The material is immediately sown in the ground until it loses its germination capacity. For this, a light substrate of sand and peat is used, placed in a box.

Seeds can germinate only in the light, so they are not sunk into the ground, placing them on the surface. The box is covered with glass and constantly ventilated to prevent acidification of the soil. Sprouts appear within 2.5-4 weeks.

Bloom

An exotic guest blooms only once, but flower growers are waiting for this event. Actually, her flowers are small and inconspicuous, all the beauty is in brightly colored large bracts. They can be purple, scarlet, yellow, burgundy and orange. There are even varieties with variegated coloration, but they are quite rare.

It also happens that Guzmania does not want to bloom for several years. She can be pushed to the start with a simple but original way. Decaying apples constantly emit acetylene, which promotes flowering of the Tropicana. It is necessary to place Guzmania and spoiled fruits under one plastic bag and wait for flowering.

ADVICE! Don't forget to ventilate the building and keep an eye out for mold.

When does it bloom?

Flowering begins in the spring-summer season and can last up to six months. The drying of the upper bracts means the end of the process. This usually happens in the fall, during the period of dying of all vegetation.

What to do after flowering?

Despite the fact that, having finished blooming, guzmania begins to die, they do not stop caring for it. At this time, it is actively developing side shoots that will give new plants. Continue watering and spraying the flower until it's time to detach the children. The peduncle can be cut off so that it does not interfere with the children.

All diseases of Guzmania are the result of wrong and poor quality care. Most often, fungi attack, causing plant rot. The constant dampness of the air and soil against the backdrop of a warm climate creates ideal conditions for their habitat.

Signs of decay are easy to notice - gray or brown spots appear on the leaves, which become wet and gradually turn black, the flower becomes drooping and painful, the leaves sag. You can fight this scourge with fungicides - Rovral, Oxyhom, Skor, Fundazol.

The bracts of this species are painted in a deep burgundy color, the flowers themselves appear at the very top of the rosette. They are collected in a small shield of snow-white tone. The bracts closest to the inflorescence are marked with white tips.

Mosaic Guzmania - Guzmaniamusaica

The color of the stipules is very bright, pink shade. About 20 flowers are formed, they are collected in yellowish balls. This species is attractive even before flowering with its foliage, painted with alternating stripes of emerald and brick hues. Inner side has a pale pink color.

Guzmania Donnell Smith - Wikiwand GuzmaniaDonnell-Smithii

The leaves in the outlet are loose and loose, outer side consists of many small scales. The color is pale green, contrasting with the rich brown-burgundy color of the stipules. The inflorescence is a pyramid of small white petals.

Guzmania Tempo - Guzmania Tempo

It differs from other varieties in a denser and squat rosette. Leaves and bracts are arranged densely, without gaps; in comparison with other Guzmania, they are wider and paler.

Guzmania Ostara - Guzmania Ostara

The result of the work of breeders who crossed other species. The result was an elongated plant with a loose rosette and scarlet bracts.

Most popular varieties at the moment guzmania rondo, mix and minor are recognized. These are artificially created hybrids, the care of which is no different from that described in this article.

• If the guzmania has turned pale, that is, it has changed color from saturated to pale and inconspicuous shades, then its flowering is coming to an end. Lack of bright light can speed up the process. Often bought, very beautiful Tropicanka in the store, it becomes completely different in the house. Her flower turns pale, disappointing the owner. This happens just because of the change in lighting. In the store, all flowers are illuminated artificially, which causes such intense coloring.
• Formed on the leaves white coating? You have not taken into account the recommendations and moisten Gusmania with hard water containing lime! It is she who settles on the surface of the plant. Gently rinse or wipe off impurities and use only softened and filtered water afterwards.

Answers to questions from readers

Guzmania belongs to annuals, but in reality, before flowering, it can live for 2 or 4 years.

Can this plant be kept at home?

Not only possible, but highly desirable! Beautiful bright guzmania not only pleases with its colors, but also effectively cleans the air in the room.

Is this flower poisonous?

Tropical beauty is one of the most harmless plants.

Why doesn't Guzmania bloom?

An exotic guest does not bloom when she lacks heat, trace elements or light.

Why do leaves turn yellow and dry?

Usually the tips of the leaves dry, and not the entire plate. So the plant signals that the air is deprived of the necessary humidity.

Flower care in winter

Little different from the rest of the care. If the house is cool, it is recommended to reduce the frequency and amount of water when watering so that the roots do not rot.

Indoor plants are still popular, homeowners breed them not only because they fit perfectly into any interior, but also because they can create coziness and comfort in the room.

Even though the choice ornamental plants today is simply incredible, many women fell in love with an exotic flower - guzmania, home care for which is not particularly difficult.

Guzmania flower

The secret of its popularity lies in its outlandish appearance; this plant is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.

But, in any case, if you decide to become the happy owner of this flower, you need to study some information in advance.

Most popular types

If you come to the store for a plant, then most likely they will offer you the following types:

Guzmania reed

All these varieties are quite similar to each other, any guzmania has large leaves saturated green (it can be either dark or light) and bright flower(red, burgundy, pink, yellow, orange).

It is worth noting that most often flower growers prefer Guzmania Minor, since it is the most compact and quite unpretentious.

How to care for a flower?

In order for indoor flowers to take root with you and please with their appearance, you need to properly care for them, only under this condition you will be able to grow almost any plant. Guzmania flower is most often purchased in a store, and some flower growers prefer to grow it on their own from baby shoots. In any case, you need to care for them the same way:

• Any exotic plant needs warmth, guzmania is also no exception, it can survive at a temperature of at least 13 degrees;
• Monitor the humidity in the room, it is desirable that it be about 70%, also do not forget to regularly spray the leaves themselves with water and at least once a month wipe them with a damp cotton swab from dust;
• Do not place the pot directly in direct sunlight (windowsill is not the best appropriate place), it is desirable to choose a place with medium illumination;
• There should be no drafts in the room, guzmania categorically does not tolerate them;
• For irrigation, it is better to use filtered or settled water, it should be room temperature. In summer, water the flower every two days, and in winter it will be enough once or twice a week;
• Periodically fertilize the soil, for this, simply add sphagnum to it, charcoal, as well as clay mixed with sand;
• If the plant is already old enough, you can fertilize it chemicals, and sometimes rub the leaves with stimulating fertilizers.

If you follow these simple rules, the plant will be strong and healthy, you can easily transplant it and propagate it.

Reproduction by children

Guzmania reproduction is carried out by division, during the flowering process, the "mother" plant begins to form a root system, which is called "children". Most often, one plant gives one "baby".

In order to finally grow, it takes about three months, only after this period the root system will form independent separate bushes from the children. When these bushes reach about 15 cm, the main plant will wither and die.

In order to reproduce, you just need to carefully separate the children and plant them in different pots.

By the way, do not forget to consider one important tip. If you do not know when you can start to separate the children, then keep in mind that this can only be done after they have their own roots. Otherwise, the flower simply will not be able to take root and will die.

How to transplant?

We found out everything about reproduction, but how can a plant be transplanted? It is worth noting that guzmania grows quite slowly, the plant can live quietly in your pot for several years, and transplantation is not required.

Most often, it is carried out only if the pot is damaged or you simply decide to move the flower immediately after buying it (transport pots, as a rule, do not differ in exclusive design).

Here is what you will need to do:

• Prepare a medium-sized pot in advance (no more than 15 cm), fill its bottom with drainage stones;
• After that, prepare the necessary soil, it should consist of peat, soddy soil, sphagnum and sand.
• If you have no desire to do this work, you can immediately purchase a ready-made mixture;
• Now carefully pull out the plant itself, while keeping an eye on the roots all the time, they should not be damaged.

Place the flower in a new pot, and fill it with the prepared mass on top, it should be packed tightly enough;

To finish, simply water the plant with filtered water.

In the event that you are transplanting a new plant that has formed from an old shrub, do not forget to unravel their roots when pulling them out. After that, the old plant will need to be thrown out.

Now you know what a guzmania flower is, how it is propagated and how the transplant is carried out.

If you have long dreamed of any exotic flower, but you don’t know what to choose, then, without hesitation, get guzmania.

Other indoor plants are unlikely to be able to boast of such easy care, and besides, Guzmania has a stunning appearance that will not leave anyone indifferent.

Growing Guzmania at home

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One of the most beautiful plants, named "guzmania" in honor of the Spanish biologist Anastasio Guzman, is of particular interest to amateur flower growers and experienced collectors. An unusual evergreen culture grows in Brazil, India, and is found in Venezuela. Moreover, in the wild, it most often settles on dead trees.

Actually, correct name the flower is precisely “gusmania”. But in everyday life, pronunciation through the letter "Z" has taken root.

Novice flower growers are simply sure that guzmania belongs to the category of finicky plants. Therefore, in our climate tropical beauty extremely uncomfortable. As practice has shown, this is a serious misconception. Guzmania does not create any special difficulties and favorably puts up with changes in the climate.

But for her comfortable living, flower growers recommend creating some conditions.

What is interesting flower

Guzmania, as the reviews show, is very different from those plants that we used to associate with indoor floriculture.

It has wide, long leaves that overlap each other near the base. Thus, they form a bowl that plays an important role in the wild.

It is in this bowl that rainwater flows, providing moisture to the plant and serving as a source of water for animals.

In the middle of the leafy rosette is a tall peduncle. Inconspicuous flowers bloom on it. But their beauty is emphasized by bright, as if varnished, bracts that form an unusually beautiful inflorescence. The color of the bracts depends on the species and can be red, bright yellow, fiery orange or white.

Guzmania blooms long time, approximately 15-17 weeks. But after flowering, it gradually fades and dies. That is why plant propagation must be taken care of in a timely manner.

Main varieties

The genus Guzmania, belonging to the Bromeliad family, includes about 200 varieties. They differ in the color of the leaves, perianths and the flowers themselves.

Most of them can be not only epiphytes (live on dead parts of trees), but also develop well on rocky areas or in the ground.

In indoor floriculture, only a few types of guzmania are in demand, which are described in the table.

Such a flower has a very spectacular appearance, since its color is very rich and bright. As a rule, guzmania is painted in one color, but some of the plants of this species have a very unusual striped color, and there are stripes both transverse and longitudinal.

The wild plant stands out for its large socket, in diameter it can reach 50 centimeters. At the base, the leaves are quite tightly pressed to each other. Thus, they create a semblance of a "cup" in which water accumulates. The flower consumes this liquid when it needs it, but tropical birds also use it.

Flowering is long and very beautiful. So, it is simply impossible not to pay attention to the preflowers, which are simply lovely, because while the guzmania begins to bloom, they acquire an orange, bright yellow or red color. Blooms it unusual plant for 15-17 weeks.

At home, Guzmania Minor (Guzmania Minor Rondo reed) just feels great, which is why flower growers choose this particular species. Caring for him is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.

Temperature regime

In order for this luxury flower began to bloom, he just needs to provide enough high temperature indoor air, namely, more than 25 degrees. And when flowering begins, it will no longer be so demanding, and a moderate temperature will do, but it should not be less than 12 degrees.

illumination

In order for a flower to grow and develop correctly, it simply needs a large number of Sveta. But it is worth considering that it does not tolerate the direct rays of the sun, and therefore the plant must be shaded.

How to water Guzmania?

Due to the fact that the roots of the plant are rather weak, then when watering it, it is worth considering that the earth should not be waterlogged, as this can contribute to the appearance of rot. In the "bowl" of leaves, there should always be water.

Guzmania must be watered correctly. If a tap water very tough, then in this case only rainwater is used for irrigation. In the "bowl" the water is changed at least 1 time in 8 weeks. Watering is done only after the earth has dried, and do not forget about drainage during planting.

AT summer time and at low humidity, the plant needs spraying. It is necessary to feed guzmania through the leaves, since this is how it is mostly fed.

Feed the flower once every 2 weeks. To do this, liquid fertilizer is poured into the water intended for spraying. Great fit mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.

It is worth considering that the plant is fed only during the flowering period.

Features of reproduction in the apartment

Shoots grow at the base of the outlet, due to which the flower reproduces. The shoot is transplanted after it has formed a rosette, and the leaves are at least 7–10 centimeters long. Light soil is suitable for transplanting, and it is important to consider that until the plant is well rooted, it must be kept warm.

Air temperature

The temperature regime for home care for guzmania should be close to the conditions of the South American tropics: high humidity with a fairly constant temperature (20-25 degrees in summer, 18-22 degrees in winter).

It will be ideal for a flower if in the summer you can take it out on Fresh air, to the loggia. In any case, always ventilate the room where the flower stands. This applies to any time of the year.

However, beware of drafts, Guzmania does not like this very much. Remember, if a flower gets into a draft, there will be diseases and problems with flowering.

Humidity and frequency of watering Guzmania

The care of the guzmania also depends on the room in which the flower is located.

There is an important rule in home care for guzmania: the dependence of plant moisture on the height of the temperature in the room.

• It's great if you maintain high humidity in the room. But this is not always possible, so spray the plant more often, 2-3 times a day. You can gently wipe the leaves with a wet sponge.
• Summer in hot weather It is recommended to water the plant daily. And in winter - rarely, no more than 1-2 times a week, and only the ground. Closer to spring, with an increase in air temperature, water may also enter the rosette of sheets. In the summer, in the heat, water should always be in the outlet - this must always be remembered when caring for Guzmania.
• As a rule, the intensification of watering coincides with the beginning of the flowering of the flower. However, in watering it is necessary to observe the measure: after all, excess water can give impetus to the development of fungal diseases or rotting of the plant.
• For irrigation, soft water is used, with hard water, limescale or stripes form on the leaves. If the tips of the leaves dry, then you should spray the plant more often with a spray bottle. It is also possible to leave water in the pan.

How to fertilize Guzmania

During the flowering period (March - September), the plant needs to be fed.

• You should buy a special fertilizer for bromeliad plant species, you can get by with a universal one.
• It is recommended to fertilize with caution, it is better to use a lower concentration than recommended in the instructions.
• Watering with top dressing should be no more than once a month directly into the plant outlet.

Guzmania transplant at home

Guzmania roots are very delicate and can easily rot when abundant watering. To avoid this, the plant should be transplanted into a loose mixture of turf and sand (equally), adding peat and charcoal.

Use a shallow pot, one-third filled with soil. When transplanting, it is forbidden to tamp the drainage, bury the plant deeply.

You should be very careful with the roots, it is best to do not transplant, but transshipment, only lightly sprinkling the roots with soil.

The root system of Guzmania develops very slowly, so there is no need to repot it often.

How to propagate Guzmania on your own?

The "baby" of the plant is formed during its flowering. The time comes, and the plant itself dies off, and the young shoot by this time already reaches 10-15 cm. It is important that the “baby” already has roots by this time so that it can develop separately in another pot. Thus, the death of the mother plant is a pattern of its development cycle.

A small plant is carefully cut with a sharp knife, after which it is transplanted into a special soil. Such a plant will bloom not earlier than in a year. In order for flowering to happen sooner, you need to create the perfect home care for guzmania: it is necessary to provide high temperature, bright lighting, and the use of special dressing for young plants.

There is a way in which you can achieve flowering of a small guzmania at almost any time. They create a kind of greenhouse for the plant: they put it in a bag, put a ripe banana (you can use an apple) in a pot, which, when rotting, begin to release a substance that accelerates flowering. Rotting fruits can be replaced with fresh ones. And so on until the first bracts appear.

Guzmania diseases. Pest Control Methods

The main enemy of the plant - mealybug, tick, shield.

• To prevent diseases, it is recommended to pre-wipe the leaves with soapy water.
• Rotting stem indicates rotting of the roots of the plant. To do this, reduce watering.
• The plant fungus appears as dark spots on the leaves. Get rid of it with a special fungicide solution.

Guzmania is a small treasure of the rainforests of South America. In the wild, it reaches a height of 75 cm, while at home it grows only up to 40 cm.

Initially, it seems that caring for guzmania at home is very difficult, but if you follow the rules described above, this flower will bring to your home. positive energy, a lot of positive.

So, at least, it is considered from the point of view of herbal medicine.

Types of Guzmania

Increasingly, representatives of exotic flora can be found on our windowsills. These include guzmania, and today everything is about caring for a majestic indoor flower at home.

Rosettes of juicy and bright foliage, over which yellow, orange and blood-red plumes of flowers are visible in their homeland, are considered a recognized symbol male power. They say that being next to a flower, representatives of the strong half of humanity become cheerful and filled with love ardor for many years.

So it is, or otherwise, but bioenergetics, having studied the effect of a plant on people, can tell a lot about guzman.

A person feels a positive influence on his energy everywhere, but in room conditions such an influence is noticeably enhanced.

A bright flower has a positive effect on the emotional background, improves the quality of sleep, relieves depression and sets you up for work. And in people of creative professions, admiring a plant causes a creative upsurge.

The flower got its name in honor of the Spanish traveler A. Guzman, but in Russia they got it a little mixed up, and the plant is called guzmania. Although, many flower growers know him as "Gusmania".

What is it that attracts flower growers all over the globe in guzmania, and what are the features of caring for it at home?

How to get seeds at home?

The flower belongs to the Bromeliad family, which is why it is sometimes called that. AT this moment on the the globe more than 120 plant species are known. They differ in size, color of foliage and flowers. When grown at home, the plant reaches half a meter in height, although in the wild some species are much larger.

The main decoration of Guzmania is bracts, or, as they say, sultans different color, which, in combination with patterned leaves, give an incredibly winning effect. As it turned out, these are not actually flowers, but just a modified foliage, a bract, designed to attract insects for pollination with its brightness. The flowers themselves are incredibly small, white and almost invisible.

The flowering of flowers ends with the formation of boxes with small seeds, from which Guzmania can be propagated in the future.

Despite the fact that the appearance of Gusmania suggests its capriciousness, in the home realities, the cultivation and care of a magnificent indoor flower does not cause difficulty. And, subject to all requirements, even not very experienced flower growers can do it.

What to consider when caring for guzmania at home?

The way of life of the epiphyte, which extracts everything necessary for existence from the atmosphere and a small amount of alluvial soil, determined some features of the structure and guzmania.

First of all, attention is drawn to the funnel-shaped form of a leaf rosette, designed not only to provide photosynthesis, but also to collect rain moisture, all kinds of organic matter. The root system of guzmania, like that of other epiphytes, is not very suitable for extracting nutrients from the soil. She is too weak and fragile, but these roots:

• perfectly obtained from the air and a very small amount of substrate that accumulates under the outlet and next to it;
• provide reliable fastening of a plant on a tree or its roots.

An important feature of culture is its long and unusual flowering. Although the flowers themselves cannot be called beautiful, and most often they are generally unobtrusive, for many lovers of ornamental cultures Gusmania is a welcome guest in the home collection due to bright stipules that crown the rosette during flowering from 3 to 4 months.

Interest in exotic culture is great, but natural features plants also leave an imprint on its maintenance at home, on caring for guzmania and maintaining its flowering.

How to care for Guzmania in a pot?

In order for the plant to feel comfortable in the house, it needs conditions close to those in which wild-growing Gusmania grows. The main requirements are:

• in providing heat;
• in the absence of drafts;
• in regular, but not excessive watering;
• in maintaining high humidity air;
• in neat top dressing throughout the entire period of active vegetation.

Guzmania - the subtleties and secrets of home care

Plants at home are not only a source of additional oxygen, but also a magnificent decorative element that can be created from ordinary premises paradise corner.

Caring for home flowers is not particularly difficult, on the contrary, it is a great pleasure to maintain the beauty of your “green island”, take care of it, and in return have the opportunity to admire the beautiful blooming buds.

beautiful foreigner

If you love exotic flowers that you can bring bright colours and good mood, be sure to get a flower with the mysterious name "guzmania".

It is a rosette, epiphytic plant with long thin leaves, which are collected from below into a kind of funnel designed to collect water.

From the center of this funnel during the flowering period, a bright large flower grows.

Attention!

Shades can be very diverse: red, orange, burgundy, pink. Guzmania care is not particularly difficult.

Guzmania (or Guzmania) - a flower from the bromeliad family - was given to us by the tropics of the Amazon and the humid forests of India. Under natural conditions, it grows on the bark of trees and, less often, on the forest floor, and feeds on moist air. The root system of Guzmania is weak and serves only for attachment to the base.

at home, the height of Guzmania is 40 cm, while its wild relatives are up to 75 cm in size. This is due to a lack of humidity and sunlight in apartments.

Variety of species

Guzmania has a large number of varieties.

At home, you can grow:

• Guzmania tempo;
• guzmania mix;
• guzmaniya ostara and others.

There is a group of plants that attract attention not with flowers, but with incomparable leaves (solid or striped, of different colors) - this is mosaic guzmania.

The most common among domestic plants is reed guzmania. It is a plant with long green leaves, which has bright brown stripes drawn on the bottom like a felt-tip pen.

The peduncle is short with small leaves, its upper leaves are red or orange in color, and in the middle there is a brush with white flowers.

A variety of reed guzmania feels great in room conditions - minor rondo, it is somewhat smaller in size.

Beauty without effort

You don't have to think that everything exotic plants require special care. best example this is guzmania, which at home without special trouble will delight you with splendor and bright colors.