Question for L

[Virginia]

Linda, I have tried to be really good to my Bromeliad. However it seems to not be satisfied with my efforts. It is turning brown at the top and feels a little like parchment paper. I do not have it in bright light, but I put it under a florescent light a lot, leaving it over night very often. Do you have any idea what it's problem is? The green leaves look pretty good. I hate to loose it, especially so soon.

Thanks!

[Lazarus]

So,
did it already flower? After some bromeliads flower that mother will have leaves and the whole plant die. But there is a baby hooked to the mother that should be growing up from the spot and the daughter takes over.
but some bromeliads do flower more than once from the same mother. Sounds like it might be too wet. Just drip a bit of water in the cup, it is not so important to water the soil.
the bromeliad is almost an epiphyte and does not need the soil…almost.
mine are Bilbergia and what you describe is what happens to mine after flowering but the children are as big as the dying mother so I almost don’t realize the change. Do you know the name of the one you have.?

[Virginia]

Linda, thanks for the information. I do not know the kind, just Bromeliad is all that is on it. It had a beautiful pinkish red stalk like flower when I received it. That is the part that has turned brownish. It could be that another one will grow in its place and that it will occur very slowly. I had watered the soil on a number of occasions, but will try just mostly watering the very center. I have cut back on the water, but I don't want it to get too dry. I would think the soil is pretty much dry by now since I cut back. It is a beautiful plant to me and since next door neighbors gave it to me when I came home from rehab I do hate to loose it.

[Lazarus]

It does not mind being dry. Treat it like a cactus. Very little watering.
One has a flower that is pink and when fully opened there are blue petals tucked in also. Really neat. Do you see a smaller plant growing up on the side next to the flower urn that has already flowered. The urn is where people usually pour the water…about 1/2 full. Good luck!

[Lazarus]

I just noticed that you said the green leaves look good. Just cut the browning ones off. Stop watering so much. Consider that the original mother dies off and her baby takes over.

[Virginia]

Thanks Linda for the good advice.