Description
Ochagavia –
There are 3 species of evergreen, terrestrial perennials (bromeliads) in this genus. They occur in exposed, coastal rock faces in Chile. They have almost stemless, spreading rosettes of stiff, spiny toothed leaves. The spherical inflorescences, are borne in summer, sit low in the centers of the rosettes and have conspicuous, narrow bracts and tubular, red or pink flowers, these are followed by ovoid green berries containing large spherical brown seeds. Grow as a houseplant.
Indoors, grow in terrestrial bromeliad potting mix or succulent mix in full light with low humidity. In growth, water moderately (avoiding the crown), and apply a half strength fertilizer every 3-4 weeks, keep dry when dormant.
Prone to scale.
O. carnea – O. lindleyana – This terrestrial bromeliad from Chile grows 24″ tall and wide. It produces wide spreading, dense rosettes of 30-50 stiff, very narrow, linear-lance shaped, spiny toothed leaves, 20″ long, tapering to pointed tips, they are bright dark green above, sometimes with gray-white scales beneath. In summer it bears many tubular, rose-pink flowers, to 2″ long, in congested, short stalked, spherical inflorescences, each with a collar of white and pink bracts.
Zones 12-15
