Here you find the reasons why your bromeliads are not flowering, and what hinders them. How to water, feed them, & give them enough sunlight. Quick Tips and FAQ on everything about bromeliads blooming issues. Also few quick tips on aftercare for bromeliads.
Bromeliads are decorative plants with a supremely attractive blossom that bloom at the center-top of the plant. It blooms once in its entire lifetime and stays for about three to six months, unlike normal flowers.
So, it is obvious that gardeners always eagerly wait to see the blossom of bromeliads, once they start cultivating this perennial succulent in their garden.
Thus, here we come up with some other imperative growing tips for bromeliads that help them to bloom faster and right on time. Let’s check them out and get the best glance from your growing bromeliads as soon as you can-
Long Story Short: Reasons for Not Flowering and Make Bromeliads Bloom
The most common reasons for your bromeliads not flowering are lack of lighting, temperature stress, overwatering stress, poor ventilation, low humidity, uneven fertilizing schedule, and wrong selection of potting mix.
How to Fix:
- Indoor or outdoor bromeliads don’t like full sun or pitch-dark spots
- Bright indirect light for the whole day will do
- Fertilizer your bromeliads monthly during peak blooming season
- Make your bromeliads get enough sunlight
- Prune dead and dry leaves and prune thin stems for bushy bromeliads and better blooms
- Bromeliads love tropical climates, love misting, and high humidity
- Potassium and phosphorous-loaded fertilizers are good for the flowering season
- You can also use your orchid fertilizers to feed your bromeliad
- Bromeliads don’t bloom every day but once it blooms they will stay for months together
- Add small amounts of Epsom salt to encourage growth and support the plant in flowering
- And yes plastic bag, kiwi, and apple fruit techniques to produce ethylene gas forces bromeliads to bloom
- Water your bromeliads when the top few inches of soil turn dry
- Mist your bromeliads when the humidity is low
Related: why my African violets are not flowering
Reasons why your bromeliads are not flowering?
A bromeliad plant usually takes one to three years to produce a flower, after propagation. If you are growing it from seeds, then, it may take six to ten weeks to bloom after reaching its full maturity.
Sometimes a few specific bromeliad species can take a bit longer period to produce blossoms. But in some cases, a growing bromeliad may produce flowers after reaching a certain age due to some troubleshooting issues.
So, if you find that your indoor or outdoor bromeliads can’t produce flowers at their expected period, you must look for the exact reason behind it. Here are some possible causes for this issue-
1. Lack of Sunlight:
It means
- your bromeliads can’t get an ample amount of bright and indirect sunlight regularly
- Or you may put your plant in a spot with a low-light area or under direct sunlight
Reasons and Fix: Why clematis is not flowering
2. Temperature Stress:
It happens when –
- You can’t provide your plant with a suitable and steady growing temperature like in tropical areas
- Your plant is living under temperature stress due to high or low-temperature level
3. Water Issues:
This indicates-
- You can’t hydrate your plant adequately with weekly watering and proper soil moist level
- Or you may use very low-quality water or normal tap water to hydrate your bromeliads
4. Bad Air Circulation:
It means-
- You must have placed your bromeliad plant in a place with poor air-circulations
- And your plant can’t inhibit photosynthesis due to enough air movements
Related: How to make hibiscus bushy and bloom better
5. Low Humidity:
That means-
- Your plant can’t get a preferable humidity level with the exact growing climate
- You must have put your plant in a spot with too much dry air for long
6. Wrong Fertilizations:
You should remember that-
- Wrong fertilization doesn’t always mean overfertilization or lack of fertilization
- It means you may feed your plant with a high-nitrogen fertilizer for years
7. Poor Soil:
It means-
- The potting soil you have picked for cultivating bromeliads is quite low in fertility
- And probably doesn’t have the perfect pH level or draining quality that requires for a healthy bromeliad plant
If your growing bromeliads would have any of these abovementioned issues, they will stop blooming right away despite reaching their expected growth.
Bromeliads Not Blooming FAQ
Q: Why are my bromeliads not blooming?
A: Reasons for bromeliads not blooming include insufficient light, poor water quality, incorrect temperature, or a lack of nutrients.
Q: How much light do bromeliads need?
A: Bromeliads prefer bright, indirect light. If they receive too much direct sunlight, they can become scorched. If they are not getting enough light, they will not bloom.
Q: What kind of water should I use for my bromeliads?
A: Bromeliads prefer water that is free of chlorine and other chemicals. Rainwater or distilled water is best, but tap water can also be used if it is left to sit for a day to allow the chemicals to dissipate.
Q: What temperature range do bromeliads prefer?
A: Bromeliads prefer a temperature range of 60-85°F. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, they may not bloom.
Q: Do bromeliads need fertilizer?
A: Bromeliads do not need fertilizer often, but they do need adequate nutrients to bloom. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer can be added to the water in the tank every 4-6 weeks.
Q: How long does it take for a bromeliad to bloom?
A: The blooming period of a bromeliad can range from a few months to several years, depending on the species and growing conditions. Once a bromeliad blooms, it will produce offsets (pups) that will grow into mature plants, but the original plant will die.
Related: How to make lavender bloom better
How To Make Bromeliads Bloom?
If you want to let your thriving bromeliads bloom naturally and uninterruptedly, you must provide it basic growing necessities accordingly.
Besides, there are some other helpful tricks too, which can stimulate the blooming capacity in your bromeliad plant effectively. Let’s learn them and steal the best peek from a growing bromeliad as much as you can-
Basic needs for your bromeliads for better blooms
The essential requirements to bloom a growing bromeliad plant are as follows-
- Choose a well-lit spot with enough ventilation
- Make sure your plant can get a minimum of six hours of bright, indirect light daily
- Be certain that the place has enough amount of CO2 with good air circulation
- Keep the growing temperature between 60° to 80° F with a high humidity level
- Make sure the growing condition is quite similar to the tropical climate
- And give your plant a regular pruning session once a week after one year of the plantation to keep it debris-free
Related: Why Lantana is not flowering
How to Feed Mindfully and How Often to Feed:
- Your plant needs monthly fertilization during its peak-growing months
- Hold the high-nitrogen fertilizers for a while, when you are trying to get bloom
- Increase the potassium and phosphorus content higher than nitrogen in your fertilizer
- Always use liquid fertilizer to feed a bromeliad plant properly
- And fill the center of your growing bromeliads with a homemade liquid fertilizer twice a month
- You can use compost tea or liquid seaweed in this attempt but try to use their diluted form to get the expected outcome of your endeavor
- So, you can combine any balanced plant food that is low in nitrogen content than the other components at a one-fourth label strength
- Now, pour the mixture into an empty spray bottle and sprinkle it on the soil entirely
Related: Celosia is not blooming how to make it bloom
Use Forceful Substitutes to Encourage Your Bromeliads:
- Apart from proper care and accurate fertilization, you can use some other ingredients that boost the blooming capacity in your plant noticeably
- Apply one cup of Epsom salt around the base of your bromeliad plant once per month
- You can also use ethylene gas for the same purpose, as it can force a plant to bloom faster
- To apply this ingredient naturally, you can use a whole apple or kiwi fruit in a proper way
- Cover the entire plant with a large and clear plastic bag that shouldn’t have any holes or cracks
- Don’t forget to place the apple or a kiwi into that bag before covering it up entirely
- Keep your plant covered this way for 10 consecutive days without any interruption
- After that certain period, remove the covering and let your plant thrive naturally
If you follow the rules accurately and your plant doesn’t have any growing issues, it will bloom within six to ten weeks after the accomplishment of the method for sure.
Related: Reasons my canna lily is not blooming
Bromeliads Flowers Turning Brown – Fix (Youtube Video)
What Is The Best Potting Mix To Grow Bromeliads?
Bromeliads are perfect houseplants and thus, thrive best in indoor climates rather than outdoor yards. Besides it, other essential growing needs, an ideal and suitable potting mix is always crucial for a bromeliad plant.
So, you must amend the soil perfectly and make the potting mix suitable for the roots of bromeliads from every aspect. Here are some quick tips in this regard-
- Pick a potting mix that can drain fast and perfectly well
- Make sure it can hold the moisture as well for a certain period
- Take 2/3 of peat moss, 1/3 of sand, and ¼ of perlite along with a normal potting mix
- Make the soil slightly acidic with a pH level between 5.0 to 6.0
- And let your plant grow in a hardiness zone that must be between 10 to 11
- To choose the best potting mix for bromeliads, purchase cactus, palm, and citrus potting mix from the market
- Combine it with water in a 1/3 ratio and apply once every two weeks for the expected outcome
Utilize this type of potting mix and follow the accurate growing rules seamlessly. You will witness a fully thriving and ideally blooming bromeliad plant at the end of your cultivation for sure.
Related: How to make peace lily to bloom – reasons not flowering
Bromeliads Plant Care FAQ
Q1: Where should I place my bromeliad?
A1: Indoor or outdoor bromeliads prefer bright, indirect light for the whole day, but should not be placed in full sun or pitch-dark spots.
Q2: How often should I fertilize my bromeliad?
A2: Fertilize your bromeliads monthly during peak blooming season, using a potassium and phosphorous-loaded fertilizer, or an orchid fertilizer.
Q3: Does my bromeliad need to be misted?
A3: Bromeliads love tropical climates, misting, and high humidity, so misting your bromeliad when the humidity is low is beneficial.
Q4: How should I prune my bromeliad?
A4: Prune dead and dry leaves and prune thin stems to create a bushy bromeliad and better blooms.
Q5: How Often to water my bromeliads?
A5: Water your bromeliad when the top few inches of soil turn dry.
Q6: Does Epsom salt help my bromeliad?
A6: Adding small amounts of Epsom salt to the soil can help encourage growth and support the plant in flowering.
Q7: Is the plastic bag, kiwi, and apple fruit technique effective in forcing bromeliad blooms?
A7: Yes, this technique can successfully force bromeliads to bloom.
Taking Care of Bromeliads After Flowering
- Remove the Faded Flower:
- Once your bromeliad’s flower starts to fade and lose its vibrancy, it’s time to remove it.
- Gently cut the flower stalk as close to the base as possible using clean pruning shears.
- Focus on the Healthy Foliage:
- Direct your attention to the bromeliad’s foliage, which will continue to thrive even after flowering.
- Ensure the plant is placed in an area with bright, indirect light to maintain its health.
- Watering Basics:
- Water your bromeliad by pouring water into the central cup of the plant, also known as the rosette.
- Keep the cup filled with water at all times, but make sure it doesn’t overflow to avoid rotting.
- Soil Moisture:
- Check the moisture level of the soil regularly, keeping it slightly damp but not overly saturated.
- Avoid letting the soil become completely dry, as bromeliads appreciate consistent moisture.
- Avoid Overfertilizing:
- Bromeliads are not heavy feeders, so avoid overfertilizing to prevent damage.
- Use a diluted liquid fertilizer specifically formulated for bromeliads, following the instructions carefully.
- Temperature and Humidity:
- Maintain a comfortable temperature between 60°F (15°C) and 80°F (27°C) for your bromeliad.
- They thrive in average to high humidity, so consider misting the foliage occasionally or using a humidifier.
- Protect from Extreme Conditions:
- Protect your bromeliad from extreme temperatures, drafts, and sudden temperature fluctuations.
- Avoid placing it near heating or cooling vents, as it can negatively impact its health.
- Patience for the Next Flowering:
- After flowering, it’s normal for bromeliads to enter a rest period before producing new blooms.
- Be patient and continue providing proper care, as it can take months or even years for the next flowering cycle.
What Is The Unique Quality of Bromeliads?
Bromeliads have a unique quality of self-feeding. These plant leaves suck the entire nutrients and moisture from the root in the first place.
Then, it transfers the nutrients to the entire plant gradually. They can even prepare their nutrients from air and dewdrops.
Thus, you can grow a bromeliad plant on any surface or growing mediums including rocks and tree barks.
Reference Sites & Personal Experience
The colorful world of bromeliads