I think this is a “flaming sword” bromeliad. It hasn’t bloomed since we got it. The leaves are alright for the most part, but we’ve had to cut back several due to browning.

Right now it’s getting bright indirect light by an east-facing window. But there are also north and south windows nearby (this part of the house pokes out a bit), so it’s probably getting direct sun for part of the day. Not sure about the watering schedule because my mom takes care of it. What do I need to do to get it happy again?

Also, I made the mistake of cutting off about 1.5 inches from the cylindrical growth at the top of the picture. It was brown on the outside, but after cutting it off I realized it was a bunch of leaves or something rolled up, and only the outside ones were brown. What is this? Did I damage the plant?

The photos were taken at the Durfee Conservatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA in October 2025.

I thought this plant, my first bromeliad at the nursery on clearance over a month ago. I read two water the inner cup and sometimes the leaves. It was dry as a bone and busted off on several of the leaves and it had already bloomed.

I've been giving her tons of light and keeping the cup filled in the center. I only recently realized that there was a bit of old stem molding inside but also noticed that there is a new plant essentially growing up from the center. The nursery worker had told me that it will grow pups from the side but the internet has told me that this type of bromeliad grows a single pup from the center which appears to be what is happening. YAY for that part. Since I was new and I saw no side pups coming out I figured she was probably just going to die. I must have over watered her at some point and her soil is extremely wet. I have cut out the moldy piece and watered the new center pop and I have her sitting on an absorbent clean towel with the fan going to help try and dry out the wet soil I've always had two steaks around her because she was never staple standing up which as I'm reading more I'm finding that their root system is very shallow. Hopefully she doesn't die from being so wet but once she is dried out is there at any point that I should transfer her to a different type of soil or size of pot? I cannot find a way to post a picture. Maybe it is because I just joined the group?

My Guzmania bromeliad has three pups growing, but the head of the mother plant is getting paler and paler. Just the way it grows? Am I doing something wrong?

EDIT: I just made a follow up post on my profile, it’s about trimming. PLEASE SEE

Okay, follow up; the red leaves I circled, cut them down to expose the pups and center more?? (Cut red circles??) I feel like it’s gonna open it up but also I’m still learning about bromeliads

The photos were taken at the Durfee Conservatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA in October 2025.

The photos were taken at the Durfee Conservatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA in October 2025.

The photos were taken at the Durfee Conservatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA in October 2025.

xDyckcohnia ‘Red Dragon’

I bought this during the final weeks of Tropiflora's sales before they closed their website. Very sad to see them go since there is not really anyone else in the US producing much in the way of Dyckia, but 50 years is certainly a long time to keep a business running. This is a fantastic double-headed specimen plant that really takes after its delicata parent. In fact the only difference I can tell between it and the pure species is that the teeth are stiff and sharp unlike the softer teeth associated its parent.

The photo was taken at the Durfee Conservatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA in October 2025.

Is this guy too far gone? Anything I can do to revive? I’ve been following the watering instructions & it seems to be looking worse and worse. Gets lots of indirect sunlight.

Just wondering if anyone can help me understand the concept of indirect vs direct light.
Gf picked up bromeliads and I wanted to do a little care research to help.

The sun moves left to right above our porch and the table full of plants is usually behind the center pillar should I adjust or change anything ?

Thanks in advance

Edit: Thank you everyone for the comments and feedback — I really appreciate it!

This is not Ball Moss or Spanish Moss but looks like "Sloth's Hair Moss" to me. It is straight and only grows to a certain length, not long or curly like Spanish Moss. On the Rockport Fulton, Texas Oak trees. Does anyone know what this is called? ID please.

Location: UK (v hard water)

Just to preface, I’ve killed most plants I’ve owned so I’m trying to hopefully keep this one alive.

Received this arrangement with 3 plants in it, from M&S.

The orange and pink ones have flowered already in June and I do see pups coming out.

Do you just keep watering it until…??? I know the pups will get bigger, but then what - do I separate? Will the colourful flowers just die? Also, the leaves are curling in - is that normal or am I just not watering it enough?

And what about fertilising? I haven’t done any fertilising - do I need to do anything with this?

The third plant is really small and sparse. I have a hard time keeping this one hydrated as you can tell by the dry leaves. Is there an easier way to keep this one watered - like can I just let it sit in a cup of water? I tried using a little squirt bottle but it just dribbles everywhere and I worry about bug infestation in the soil.

We are proud to share that Rainforest Flora turns 50 this weekend!

For those who know, Paul Isley III and Jerry Robinson were some of the earliest bromeliad and tillandsia growers, hybridisers, and enthusiasts in the US. We wanted to share a short video that highlights just the tip of the iceberg of what 50 years of growing and selling bromeliads represents.

Paul Isley III was known throughout the plant community worldwide as “Mr. Tillandsia,” introducing more than 100 different hybrids over the years. Paul passed away over two years ago, but his book, Tillandsia II, remains a must-have for any serious tillandsia collector.

Jerry Robinson’s passion for neoregelia and vriesea helped expand Rainforest Flora’s product line to include staghorn ferns and cycads. Rainforest Flora continues to operate under Jerry’s guidance as we carry their legacy into our 50th year.

Thank you for 50 years of growing with us!

Got my first bromeliad (a guzmania) about a year and a half ago and loved the idea of that little central reservoir holding water for the plant. What I didn't think through was what happens to standing water in a cup that sits outside on a covered patio for two weeks at a time in August.

Short version: it turns into a mosquito nursery. I found actual larvae wriggling in there and felt pretty gross about it, especially since I'd been telling people bromeliads were basically low maintenance plants you set and forget.

What's worked for me since then is flushing the cup completely every 5 to 7 days instead of just topping it off. I tip the plant sideways over a sink, dump the old water, let it drain for a minute, then refill with fresh water (I use filtered, not straight tap, since my tap water leaves a mineral film after it evaporates a bit). During the hottest stretch of summer I also just don't fill it as full, maybe a third full instead of to the brim, since it evaporates and gets refreshed faster that way anyway.

For anyone in a warmer climate keeping these outdoors, mosquito dunks (the BTI ones, sold for ponds and rain barrels) work fine too if you don't want to flush that often. I broke a small piece off and dropped it in and never saw larvae again.

Curious if other people just let the cup water sit longer than a week and haven't had this problem, or if it's more of a warm/humid climate thing. Might just be that my patio doesn't get enough airflow.