Bilbergia (Billbergia) is an evergreen epiphytic and terrestrial plant, belongs to the Bromeliad family. A dry climate is suitable for Bilbergia, and sudden temperature drops. The leaves are variegated, hard, and have the appearance of a tube, due to which they accumulate moisture in themselves. The foliage has thorns along the edges, and the rest of the surface is covered with peculiar scaly elements. The flowers are brightly colored and spiral-like, they can be rolled up like a pipe. The plant also bears fruit in the form of berries.
On the sides, shoots periodically appear, due to this, large shrubs are formed, which have separate rosettes, such a plant can have a height of up to 60 centimeters. For the first time, color ovaries appear after three years. In the future, after the plant has faded, the rosettes die, and instead of them new shoots appear, which are able to bloom by the next season. A perennial bush can have many shoots that are capable of producing flowers at the same time. After a couple of months from flowering, the old shoots must be cut off, thus renewing the bush.
Home care for bilbergia
Location and lighting
Lighting should be bright and diffused, but if in the summer the sun is too active, then the shrubs need to provide shade; for this, the pots are placed on the windows on the east and west sides. The plant can be located on the north side, but it does not bloom. In the summertime, the pots can be moved outside as the bush needs an open air. But at the same time it is necessary to protect it from the active sun and precipitation.
Temperature
In cold weather, in autumn and winter, for bilbergia, the temperature should be maintained at about 18-20 degrees. In order for flowering to occur quickly, the temperature is slightly lowered, but not lower than 13 degrees. The plant should not be constantly at a low temperature, this can lead to diseases. In the summertime, the optimum temperature should be 20-25 degrees.
Air humidity
The plant can live favorably with low humidity in the room, but if the temperature exceeds 22 degrees, then spraying with water of a settled species is performed, since it is softer. When flowers are formed, the pot is placed on a special support made of wet moss or expanded clay, but the very bottom of the container should not stand in water.
Watering
Starting from spring, and throughout the summer period, the earth in the container should be moistened, but at the same time it should not be allowed to stagnate in the stand. In winter, a limited number of waterings are performed, about once a week, while the soil may dry out slightly, this is considered quite acceptable. For such procedures, the water is defended, it should also be at room temperature.
If the temperature in the room is above 20 degrees, then water is poured directly into the leaves.But at low temperatures or if the bushes have faded, such actions cannot be performed, otherwise it will lead to decay.
The soil
Bilbergia is not picky about the composition of the earth, you can use leafy soil, peat and humus with crushed moss. This mixture is beneficial and beneficial to the shrubs.
Top dressing and fertilizers
During the growing season, keeping every 14 days, they carry out special fertilizing for bromylium plants, this is done on moistened soil. You can also use other products for any indoor plant that are diluted at half the rate. In such products, the nitrogen content should be minimal, otherwise the plant will die.
Transfer
When the shrub grows, and the pot becomes small for him, they are transplanted into a large container, it should have a small depth, but a volumetric width. From below, high-quality drainage is made for good air flow to the roots and the rapid removal of excess fluid.
Reproduction of bilbergia
The plant can reproduce with seeds and suckers (babies) that grow from the root.
Seed propagation
Before starting sowing, the seeds must be soaked in a manganese solution, and then dried well. They are sown in a mixture of peat and sand or crushed moss, a vacuum is created from polyethylene or glass on top. The temperature should remain constant, about 21 degrees, while spraying the soil composition and airing. When the leaves appear, the sprouts gradually develop a dry-looking climate. After the formation of three leaves, the plant is seated in separate containers.
Reproduction by children
Babies are disconnected from the main plant in the third month, when transplanted. When the babies reach a length of about 20 centimeters, they are detached and cut off. All sections are covered with charcoal and dried a little in a well-ventilated place.
For the preparation of the soil composition, leafy earth, two parts of sand, and one humus are used. Also, the cutting can be immediately placed in the soil, which is intended for an adult bush. In order for the children to start well, it is necessary to observe a temperature of 22 degrees, while heating should be from the bottom, the soil composition should be at least 25 degrees. To increase the humidity, you must put a jar or bag on all cuttings. At the same time, it should not touch the cutting itself, therefore, several sticks are inserted into the container, onto which the bag is pulled, its edges are connected with an elastic band. The accumulating liquid will run down the bag or jar, not the plant, otherwise rotting may occur.
In this process, the plant needs bright illumination of a diffused type, without active rays of the sun, warmth, good humidity, and a soil composition temperature of 25 degrees.
Soil pots can be heated using special lamps or conventional heating radiators. If conditions are favorable, roots will form within 30 days. At this time, it is necessary to prevent drying out or waterlogging of the soil composition, it is necessary to periodically ventilate the shoots, that is, remove the package for several minutes a day. If the shoot is accepted, then new green leaves appear in the center.
During transplantation, old bushes can be separated, they will bloom next season.
Difficulties in growing bilbergia
- Bushes can be sunburned, and the leaves become pale brown spots - this means that the plant needs to be moved away from the active rays of the sun.
- When the tips of the leaves darken, moisture stagnates in the funnels or the water is too hard for the plant.
- If the soil composition is too waterlogged, this leads to decay, death of the bush itself, and its processes.
- With a lack of light, deciduous rosettes can disintegrate to the sides.
Diseases and pests
Bilbergia can be attacked by pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites or scale insects. Such insects can multiply on the leaves, on both sides, while yellowness appears on the greenery, and the plant dies off. For prevention, it is necessary to actively monitor and inspect the plant. Insects can be removed with a soapy sponge or cloth.
If the lesion is significant, then it is necessary to process it with special means, that is, actellik and karbofos. To obtain a solution, the funds are diluted in one liter of water with about 20 drops. All lesions must be noticed in time, otherwise the bushes will die.
