Free Guzmania Lingulata Plants

With its bright red or orange bracts and bright green, glossy leaves, the Guzmania makes a bold feature plant. Several specimens planted together provide a striking display. It is one of the more delicate bromeliads and particular care must be taken to avoid cold and damp conditions. These can lead to rot setting in and killing the flower spike, which is produced in winter when conditions are least favourable, or even the whole plant. As with most bromeliads, water should be poured into the central cup formed by the leaves and replaced at least once a month with tepid water before it becomes stagnant. The plant can be propagated from offsets removed from the base and potted singly.

Plant type : Flowering bromeliad with upright, radiating habit
Season of interest : Late winter to early spring
Size : 30-45cm (12—18in)
Flower : Small, yellow, growing from pointed, 5cm (2in) reddish bracts on 30cm (12in) spike, produced in winter/spring
Leaf : 30-45cm (12—18in), pointed, strap¬shaped, bright green, glossy, in rosette
Temperature : 19-24°C (66-75°F)
Aspect/Light : Reasonably well-lit situation with some shade from direct sun
Humidity : High
Watering : Keep central cup full at all times except when plant is in flower, when level should be allowed to drop a little
Feeding : Once every two to three weeks with half strength houseplant fertilizer poured into central cup in spring and summer
Propagation : Remove 10-12.5cm (4—5in) offsets in spring and pot in houseplant potting or bromeliad compost at 22-24°C (72 —75°F)
Potting : Houseplant potting or bromeliad compost
Problems : Rotting of spike if cold and damp
Availability : Occasionally available from winter to early spring
Uses indoors : Feature plant for lounge, near window
Other varieties : G. I. cardinalis- larger; red bracts, G. I. minor-slightly more compact