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. spectabilis – Fingernail plant – This terrestrial bromeliad from Southern Brazil grows 16″ tall and 32″ wide. It produces broadly funnel shaped rosettes of 20-30 strap shaped, arching, red-tipped,, gray-scaly, glossy, olive green leaves, 16-18″ long, with smooth or minutely spiny margins and gray white cross banding beneath. Blue flowers, 1 ½-1 3/4″ long, with red or purple bracts, are borne in summer.
Zones 13-15
