Description
Nidularium – Bird’s-nest Bromeliad –
There are about 46 species of rosette forming, evergreen epiphytic or terrestrial perennials, sometimes rhizomatous, bromeliads, related to Neoregelia in this genus. They occur from woodland and rainforest, to 6,500′ high mainly in Brazil. The toothed leaves are narrow to broadly strap shaped. The conspicuous leaf sheaths surround tubular flowers, usually borne in summer, they nestle in a cluster of large bracts, resembling a bird’s nest. Grow as houseplants.
Indoors, grow in epiphytic bromeliad potting mix in bright filtered light with moderate to high humidity. During the growing season, water freely. Apply a low nitrogen liquid fertilizer monthly from spring to late autumn. Keep rosette cup filled with water from spring to early autumn. Keep just moist in winter.
Prone to scale insects.
N. fulgens – Blushing Bromeliad – This epiphytic bromeliad from Southern Brazil grows 16″ tall and 24″ wide. It forms spreading rosettes of 15-20 strap shaped, sparsely and sharply toothed, pointed, glossy yellow-green leaves, to 16″ long, slightly scaly beneath. It bears clusters of tubular white and bright red sepals, among the lance shaped, brilliant scarlet bracts mainly in summer.
Zones 14-15
