This genus of plants is named after the famous botanist from Holland V. De Vries (1806-1862). As a rule, the terrestrial or epiphytic stucco plants belong to the genus Vriesia. The leaves of plants are hard and smooth, collected in small dense rosettes, slightly bent upwards, and their color is interesting because the leaves have transverse stripes or spots, or a marble pattern. Spines absent. Flowers of plants are inflorescences in the form of an ear of one color or multi-colored, branched or simple. Flowers themselves are very small, yellow or whitish in color, they are framed by bracts - yellow or red. Flowers themselves fade fairly quickly, but bracts persist for several months, which gives plants a beautiful decorative look. The rosette of Vriesia withers after flowering, at the same time, a number of buds appear at the base, which give sprouts.
The plant blooms, as a rule, in the summer. But sometimes the flowering period is shifted to another time of the year - it depends on when you planted the plant. It happens that plants do not bloom at all, in this case it is necessary to stimulate their growth by ethylene. Despite the fact that this organic gaseous substance is produced by the plant itself, it can also be added artificially. To do this, take a few bananas and wrap them together with the plant in polyethylene. However, this way should not be abused.
Many gardeners grow these indoor plants because of their attractive appearance during flowering, while others like their unusual leaves. In addition, the inflorescence of Vriesia is sometimes cut off and used to formulate various compositions.
Care of the plant.
Plants Vriesia well feel in a dark place and do not tolerate direct sunlight. It is best to keep it near a window facing east or west, if the windows face south, then cover it from the sun in the summer when it is most active. In the morning and in the evening, on the contrary, open access to the sun - this contributes to the appearance of flowers. Too bright illumination will cause the leaves and inflorescences to lose intense color. If the plant has soft or variegated leaves, then it is the place in the darkened corner.
Remember that Vriesia is a plant very thermophilic. In addition, they are negatively affected by temperature changes. It is best to keep the plant in spring and summer in a room with a temperature of 24-26C, in winter and in autumn - 18-22C. Watch the temperature of the soil - it should not be below 18C.
In summer, it is desirable to pour a small amount of water into the funnels, but do not allow it to stagnate. If the temperature is below 20C, pour out the water. Carefully watch that the rosettes do not get land (for example, together with water), otherwise the plant will fall ill and die. Maintain the soil in a moistened state, but do not fill it with water. Vrieses growing on a bromeliad tree, once every ten days, take them off and put them in water to make them saturated, and then, when the water drains, attach it to the place.
In autumn and winter, water the plant and gradually, but only if the temperature in the room is below 22C. If the air temperature is higher, water the vriesia as the earth dries up. Water should be used for irrigation, it should be higher than room temperature, at 2-3C. After the plant has blossomed, do not pour water into the socket, otherwise Vreeze will die.
Vriesia loves moist air - not less than 60% of humidity. Therefore, two times a day, spray the leaves with water from the spray gun, and also place a tray under the pot with humidified moss, pebbles or expanded clay in such a way that the bottom does not come into contact with water. It is best to keep the plant in special terrariums, which will provide them with optimal conditions. If, during flowering, water gets on the inflorescence, it is likely that brown spots will appear on the leaves, which will spoil the appearance of Vriesia. Also, do not forget to wipe the leaves with a damp sponge from time to time. Use the same special wax for the leaves is undesirable.
Feeding.
During the vegetative period, the plants should be fed once every two weeks after irrigation with special fertilizers intended for plants of the bromeliad family. In addition, you can use other fertilizers, but reduce their quantity by half. Fertilizers with an increased nitrogen content are not recommended, since this element negatively affects the condition of the plant. Also fatal to vriesia calcium.
Transfer.
Vriesia does not take transplants in the best way, so you can do it only if necessary in the spring or summer, while it is actively growing. When transplanting the plant, be careful not to damage its roots, as they are rather weak. In addition, the center of the outlet does not fall asleep on the ground - this will lead to rotting.
The soil must be loose and have a large amount of nutrients. It is best to plant Vriesia in a mixture consisting of leaf land, turf ground, peat, top and lowland (4 parts of all components), and also take one piece of sand, sphagnum moss and bark of larch or pine (crushed). Ground plant species are best planted in a mixture of turf ground (2h), peat (1h), leaf land (1h.) And sand (h). Epiphytic plants will best feel themselves in a mixture of bark of pine, peat and sphagnum. It is best to add charcoal to all mixtures. Vrieses need drainage - the pot must consist of expanded clay. Keep the plant is best in small pots of clay.
You can grow epiphytic plants on driftwood or barked logs of coniferous trees and cork oak. This can be done in the following way: take a plant from the pot with the clod of earth, wrap the soil with sphagnum and fix it on the support using wire or threads from the capron. If you fix several Vriesias on one log, you will get a stunning bromeliad tree. Decorate this snag can, for example, fountains.
Reproduction.
This plant reproduces with seeds or shoots. It is very dangerous for him to have a mealy worm and a scab.