The red bracts of the Guzmania, which are mistaken for flower petals, are the entire adornment of this tropical plant. If its color becomes paler and eventually brown, the beauty of this bromeliad fades. The longed-for new blossom will never come. What now?
What to do if the Guzmania flower turns brown?
The Guzmania flower turns brown when it has faded. Carefully remove the brown bracts when they are completely dry and continue to care for the plant as it will soon sprout offshoots (kindles) and thus ensure its own propagation. The offshoots can be separated and planted later.
Colorful bracts
Brown is not a color that suits Guzmania. The tropical plant usually prefers a strong red, rarely pink, pink, yellow or orange. This is how brightly it colors its rosette-shaped bracts, which the observer sees as a flower. The flowers themselves are inconspicuous and have no decorative value.
When the true flowers or bracts turn brown, their time is coming to an end. They will dry up soon. As unfortunate as it is, this is part of the natural process of this plant's life.
Remove brown bracts
When the Guzmania flowers and the color of the bracts disappears, it is not a pretty sight compared to its former splendor. But the browned leaves are only removed when they are completely dry. Detaching from the plant must be done carefully so as not to damage vital parts of the plant.
No second flowering period
After removing a spent flower, we wait hopefully for new flower shoots. But Guzmania behaves differently in this regard than we know from many plants. It will not produce any re-flowering. It will not bloom at any later date.
Tip
If you want to propagate this houseplant from your own seeds, you will not be successful. The plants offered in this country are mostly hybrids. But there are “real” Guzmania seeds available to buy commercially.
The plant is dying
When the guzmania fades, it heralds its own end. It will still take some time for it to dry out completely, but the end is already sealed in its genes.
It is essential to continue care
Even if the faded Guzmania will never bloom again, it should continue to receive full care. Above all, do not stop watering the guzmania. It will soon sprout offshoots and thus ensure its own propagation.
Kindel for new flowers
As soon as the children have reached half the height of the mother plant, they should be separated from it and planted. After about two years the new plants will bloom.
- plant in special bromeliad soil
- temporarily cover with foil (ventilate occasionally)
- Keep warm at 25 °C, without direct sun
- keep slightly moist and fertilize a little
- care like an adult plant after four months