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. procerum var. kermesianum– This epiphytic bromeliad grows 8-12″ tall and 18″ wide. It produces rosettes of 12-40 sharp pointed finely toothed, waxy, red suffused, pale green leaves, 16″ long. It bears 25-30 or more tubular, blue tipped vermillion flowers, to 1 1/4″ long, among clusters of red floral bracts.
Zones 14-15
