Not exactly a bulb question
ConroeJoe@aol.com (Tue, 09 Nov 2004 15:52:42 PST)

Hi,

I am looking for advice (especially the voice of experience) for germinating
terrestrial bromeliad seeds. I would especially appreciate knowing the secret
for keeping the seedlings alive after germination and growing them on to
plants.

I have killed several species of terrestrial bromeliad (e.g., Puya and
Dyckia) after easily germinating them in sandy soil mix.

The problem is that they don't make/keep roots and eventually die as tiny
little plants, about 1/8 or 1/4 inch tall.

When they are bigger I have no problem growing them. They seem ideally
suited to year round rain punctuated with 1-, 2-, or 3-month droughts as long as
they have fast drainage. Sometimes they don't even insist on sandy soil, only
fast-draining humus-rich soil.

They are great companions for Crinum (see, I made a bulb connection), in the
garden. The Crium do well in the ground, and the terrestrial bromeliads do
well in pots--the contrast of leaves and flowers can be very nice.

Please write to me if you know how to keep the darn seedlings alive.

Conroe Joe