Description
Neoregelia – Aregelia –
There are about 100 species of sometimes rhizomatous or stoloniferous epiphytic or terrestrial perennials (bromeliads) in this genus. They occur from coast scrub, woodland, and rainforest, to 5,000′ feet high, in South America. Some are grown for their striking coloration of their central leaves and bracts when flowering. The variable, usually spiny edged, green to maroon, striped, spotted or marbled leaves are borne in rosettes, large sheath totally enclose the scape and its bracts. An umbel like, sometimes raceme or corymb-like, compact inflorescene nestles in the heart of each leaf rosette and, in summer, bears numerous long lasting, tubular flowers. Offsets from around the flowering rosettes. Grow as a houseplant.
Indoors, grow in epiphytic or terrestrial bromeliad potting mix in bright filtered light. When in growth, water freely. Apply a low nitrogen liquid fertilizer monthly from spring to late autumn. Keep rosette cups filled with water from spring to early autumn. Water sparingly in winter. Sever spent leaf rosettes at the bases.
Prone to scale insects, mealybugs, bacterial soft rot, leaf spot, and a variety of fugal leaf spots.
N. pineliana – This epiphytic bromeliad from Southeastern Brazil grows to 16″ tall and at least 16″ wide. From short stem producing ascending stolons, which bear leaves along their lengths. The rosettes have up to 12 narrowly lance shaped to linear, mid green leaves, which are gray-scaly on both surfaces, to 20″ long, with minute marginal spines and purple sheaths. In summer, the central leaves turn red, and dense umbels of blue, white based flowers, to 2 ½” long, darkening toward the tips, are produced.
Zones 13-15
