San Diego Bromeliad Society
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Spotlight on genus: Vriesea

Let's discuss how to grow these beauties   .  .  .
Above: some tantalizing Vrieseas grown primarily for their dazzling foliage.
Picturefrom the 2017 show
The genus Vriesea is a large group of relatively diverse plants.  Many think of them as shade-lovers, but many in the genus like bright light.  With just a few exceptions, most do not like full afternoon sun here in Southern California.  While there are a few Vrieseas that look like xeric (dry-loving) Tillandsias, let's talk about the majority of Vrieseas that appreciate regular moisture.

There are some that are grown for their showy and exotic flower display, like the plant at left.  And some [like those shown in the 4 photos below] are admired for their colorful and wild foliage patterns.  Grow these in a free-draining potting media with some organic bark and/or chucks of coir.  Be aware that many of these beauties are not particularly fond of the municipal water delivered to our taps.  It's salty, "hard" water -- quite unlike the pure rain water and misty fog drip of their homelands.  That said, many will grow perfectly well on tap water with only minor evidence of salt burn. 

A growing tip from Morlane who grows these so well:  flush out the rosettes of your Vrieseas every once in a while.

Picture
This used to be a Vriesea, but now it's a Goudaea: Goudaea ospinae gruberi 'Hawaiian Magic'
Picture
Vriesea 'Arden Amour' x 'Golden Radiance'
A slideshow of John Arden hybrid Vrieseas
  • Home
  • Join us! Membership
  • Meetings/Events
    • Past: February 2023
    • Past: January 2023
    • Past: Oct. 2022
    • Past: Sept. 2022
    • June Show & Sale Balboa Park
    • Past: May 2022
    • World Brom Conference 2022
    • Past: April 2022
    • Past: March 2022
    • Past: Feb 2022
    • Past: Dec. 2021 Plant Sale
    • Past: Dec 2021
    • Past: Nov 2021
    • Past: Expo at SD Botanic Garden
    • Past: August 2021
    • Past: July 2021
    • Past June 2021
    • Past: May 2021
    • Past: April '21
    • past: March '21
    • past: February '21
    • past: January '21
    • Past: December
    • Past: November
    • Past: October
    • Past: September
    • Past: August
    • August Coffee in the Brom Garden
  • Past Newsletters
  • Videos
  • Join/About Us
    • 2019 Exhibition & Sale
    • WBC San Diego 2018
    • A Look Back: '17 Show & Sale
  • Bromeliad Genera
    • Alcantarea - Brazilian giants
    • Spotlight on Vriesea
    • Behold Billbergia
    • Spotlight on Neoregelia
  • Links
    • SDBS Facebook page
    • ZOONOOZ Beautiful Bromeliads [great article]
    • Bromeliad Society International
    • Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies
    • Queenlsand
    • East London
  • Growing Tips
    • Growing in San Diego
    • Water & Fertilzer
    • Potting & Soil
    • How Much Light?
    • Blog