Q&A - I think my Bromeliad is dying. What can I do?

The person asking the questions says they are watering the bromeliad once a week. TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond says this may be too much water. Bromeliads like the dry out between waterings. You should not water on a schedule but when the plant needs it. Feel the soil with your finger to see if it is dry before watering. Watering too much causes root rot which makes the plant start to lean as the roots die. Also, the light levels in a house change drastically during the year so the watering requirements will change too.
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[@sbishop0586]

Not very informative. They basically told her don’t do the same thing that you are doing🙄🙄they’d be horrible teachers

[@seanmcaleavy2369]

Well, that was about as joyful as an AA meeting. What it lacked in information it made up for in condescending tone and attitude.

[@cheril8891]

Sean McAleavy: Oh you poor thing. We're your feelings hurt? Get a backbone.

[@Ro7068]

This is like a SNL skit. 🤣😂

[@Blush210]

LOL I don’t know why but this just made me 😂 lol

[@tonymartone2009]

Agree

[@nichts333]

It depends on the humidity level inside your house, sunlight exposure. Sometimes, you need to water them more often, if it is very dry. So once per week might not be enough.

[@jeaninemiller2541]

Why is my guzmania plant crunchy on the flower?

[@slimmwest]

One site says keep water in the tea cups you guys day let it dry out. Thanks

[@gargiupadhyaya4340]

My Neoregalia Bromeliad has sun damage. What can I do about it? Thank you.

[@AicxMedina]

Can they be saved (at all) ? 😩

[@theartwiiitch7959]

I fast forwarded to the end and felt his video was very un informative . Period

[@gabriellehoffman3009]

Me too! Also, don’t you water bromeliads in the cup and not the soil really? I’ve had mine foe 10 months and I just change out the water there and it’s doing great :-/

[@channad8188]

Thank you for saving my time 🥰

[@brih1417]

Mine is turning brown esp the centerpiece vs the leaves there all green!??? Help

[@GoogleUser-vu2ej]

I just purchased that same plant a week ago I have it indoors because it says it is not allowed to get teeth over 80 degrees right now it's about 90 semi degrees around here how many times does it really need to get water indoors it is right by a window thank you very much thanks for sharing

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

You need to water it when it gets dry. Stick your finger into the soil up to your first knuckle or so. If it is dry, it needs water. If you try to water on a fixed interval it won't work.

[@Sara-gl8ue]

Wait... I thought their roots are for anchoring only? I don't think their roots take up any nutrients.

[@chiaracolaiuto]

I learned nothing from this video. The guy is asking what to do I see no answer. "Do something different" like wtf? Anyway, for people like me who don't really know about plants, I found my answer elsewhere: the flower after a few months die and the leaves start turning dry and brown. You have to cut out the flowers at the base and if you look, you will see the plant is growing pups (new plants)...once I cut out the flower the pups became twice the size OVERNIGHT cause now they are getting all the nutrients. I still don't know how long u gotta keep the mother plant for but I guess I will find out.

[@9monava]

Good advice, but can the particular plant be saved!?!?!?! Mine is much worse and I need advice, too.

[@barbaralee5960]

Whilst I was away my bromilliard was overwatered. It has flowered & has 3 ‘pups’. I think it’s roots are rotting. Should I remove the pups now for replanting or wait?

[@crystaldavison8299]

Barbara Lee I believe you should remove the pups when their about 1/3 the size of the mother. The pups do not need roots to start.

[@HaileeMiu]

So your not gonna help? Is there anyway to save it

[@ed7474]

A Guzmania bromeliad (which is what was in the picture) doesn't really absorb water through its roots. The roots are for anchoring the plant. It has a central tank in which is stores its water. You water a guzmania bromeliad by pouring it down the middle of the plant. It will also essentially die after flowering so if it has flowered and is now dying then that is why.

[@ashley-annasledge9869]

Ed thank you! You should’ve been sitting up there lol

[@DeeDee597]

Mine has been dead in the middle for months now but the rest ot the plant is still alive. Can I bring the middle colorful part back to life?

[@ed7474]

@@DeeDee597 No, the middle part isn't going to come back, but keep watering it as usual! You should notice pups starting to grow out of the base. Mine currently has 5. Let them grow for a while on the parent plant and then you can cut them and replant them and they should grow up to look like your old plant. Sorry it took me a few weeks to catch this lol You can check reddit on r/bromeliad for more info

[@9monava]

This is what I want to know too! @@DeeDee597

[@nolawest5183]

Yeah, but can she save it? 😉 Lol We had an unusually hot summer in Northern California, & my sister received a gift of a beautiful bromelaid... it began just fine, but it was dying after a month of no water indoors, & then she over watered, then put out in the patio sun, burned the leaves & continued to over water & now back indoors - the center molded. I just today took a look at it again for her, & I removed the center flower which was molded & dead... Now, it has a hole!!! 🤤 What do I do to help her save it?!?! Thank you!

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

I am not sure if it is saveable, but make sure it dries out between waterings. Keep it in a place with bright indirect light.

[@prattyj5j5]

ultimately should i even sprinkle water on my Bromeliaceae's substratum every day or nay?

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

A bromeliad is more likely to die from over-watering than under-watering. While their roots enjoy a moist environment, they can’t remain soggy. Too much water can cause your bromeliad plant to develop root or crown rot. It is usually sufficient to water your bromeliad once per week.

[@prattyj5j5]

Family Plot Wow thanks for the clarity!

[@QNiNiVLOGS]

the center of my bromeliad has separate from the roots. can I use reroot nd replant the top nd save the root that's still in the soil? I realize obliviously I over watered mine.

[@Blush210]

So mine has been dying since I purchased it? 😩

[@edgreed87]

My bromeliad is spreading apart I just got it for Mother's day. It seems to be dying after watching video I realized that it may not have enough light in a one window room. Or too much water. How do I relieve it of too much water? Also I set it outside under carport to see if that makes a difference. Please help!

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

To try to fix the water problem reduce the water and use your finger to check. Putting it outside may help depending on the weather conditions.

[@alo7951]

Please see post above...they don't like too much sun and will burn...leaves will be really dry and go like paper. Part sun, water in throat weekly in summer.

[@aridan9023]

The tips on mine have brown and wilting tips please help

[@arwash3]

Thats normal for Guzmania. Just the nature of the plant.

[@freelyashley2874]

Hi I bought my first bromilade and I realized when I brought it home it was dying but then I realized I had a pup on it's way. I kept it attached to the mother as long as I could but recently I realized the pups leaves weren't looking so hot. Also my bromeliad has white stripes but today as I was examining I touched a whites stripe and it came right off! This is such a mystery to me. I cant imagine powdery mildew would be the culprit but that's kind of what it looks like to me although I have no idea how powdery mildew would form perfect stripes all the same length. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? It's also on my pup too and like I said it looks like a design from the plant but when you touch it, it comes right off. Any advice would be appreciated thank you!

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

Could we see a picture of the problem? Please submit it here: www.familyplotgarden.com/ask-a-gardening-gardening-question.html

[@greener336]

It could be grime from growing out the leaves created lines?

[@ddsh1618]

Granted I’m a bit late but that white powdery stuff on the leaves are trichomes. They help the plant get water and nutrients. Same things exist on air plants and marijuana. It’s just the way the plant waters itself naturally.

[@freelyashley2874]

@@ddsh1618 haha thanks, yes this was a long time ago, the plant died, but oh well. I got it at a big box store and it was very small. oh well, I have many more plants not that are thriving! thanks for the info though.

[@lafredasias5286]

I have a pot of tulips where the leaves are turning yellow and brown. The blooms are dying. How do I keep the p!ant going?

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

You realy can't. The plant comes up in the spring, blooms and then a few weeks later begins to pull the nutrients from the leaves to the bulb. It this point the leaves turn yellow and die. There is no way to make it stay green.

[@lafredasias5286]

If I pull the bulbs and let them dry out, can I replant them now to rebloom?

[@lucianoriega9100]

I was given a Beautiful Bromeliad the leaves are brown just a few can you PLEASE help PLEASE

[@wolfherzen5423]

If there new leaves under the drown leaves nothing to worry about the mother plant is dying sadly but the new plant or plants are growing

[@AicxMedina]

Mine too.. and I'm super depressed seeing it brown.. 😭 it was inside.. took it out maybe it wanted more air or sun.. it's still browning.. 😩

[@haleymuthu3543]

I think after they have that beautiful bloom they naturally slowly die. BUT, they are likely to reproduce a pup/offshoot from the base...so you can look for this.

[@deutscheblitzkrieg]

Try changing the soil. Once the bromeliad has blossomed the brack will die but the leaves won't

[@InfiniteRZ]

I have understood I’ve been over watering, can it be reversed??

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

You can cut back on watering and the plant may be able to pull through. It all depends on how bad the damage is. You could also try re-potting it in fresh potting mix.

[@globetrotter17]

Very helpful. Thanks. :-)

[@Rarabinx]

This woman is HARSH, dang. Came here looking to troubleshoot my plant, instead she yelled at me :(

[@g.pearson4726]

What should one do if your husband puts it outside and it gets sunburn ? What can I do? I love this plant so much ☹️😢😭 Thank you

[@Carolinachomina]

Did you get an answer? Mine burned too. Should I cut the leaves that are burned?

[@g.pearson4726]

I got advice about trying to save the pups (the babies) Replant those. My plant was too far gone I’m still really sad about my plant

[@tiaracarman]

@@g.pearson4726 will pups still grow from the burned plant? my plant burnt and has no pups

[@g.pearson4726]

I sadly let my plant go

[@g.pearson4726]

It grew pups I didn’t know what that was at the time Maybe try to repot the pups I have zero green thumbs lol Sorry Stay safe

[@ginakelsey]

What was that

[@butterflygorbea]

This did not answer my question at all

[@busolaadeyemi3466]

😢. Left me even more sad. Eeeew

[@sarahhardridge2392]

That was the most uninformative video I have seen in my life. I can understand if you want me to just ditch the plant but you're not even saying that?

[@alo7951]

No dont ditch the plant. I hope you haven't yet as I see it's been 2 months since you posted this. You don't water Bromeliads into the soil, you water in the centre well, or the throat as they call it. If it sits in wet soil from watering or raining too long, it will rot. you'll know its rotted by it turning completely brown and when you pull it out, the roots/bulb is no longer in the soil, it's detached through root rot. Just leave yours to dry out and then water the it in centre of the thraot. Once a week is fine in summer if you do that by the way. If it snows where you live you need to bring it inside in the winter. I am so frustrated that these people have made this video without knowing how to keep Bromeliads. I have had them for decades...they clearly haven't!!! they cope with a little sun but not all day in extremely hot sun...they will dry up. They really thrive in shade or part shade, and don't require sun to flower. Dont cut the mother plant down ever, as suggested in another video as the pups need it until they are tall enough. You can detach them when they are half as tall as mother, but I leave mine until they are same size as this makes them strong. Depending on type of Bromeliad, they will flower anywhere from close to al year to several years. They are SO hardy, so don't be afraid to buy several types. They are so rewarding, and when you discover the many different varieties, you will LOVE them! Good luck!!!

[@liliaramos5381]

Doesn’t say anything…

[@susankovacs1176]

This video has no useful info at all. She can't even pronounce the name correctly. It took 3 people to say nothing. What is the answer to the question?

[@Gabe2theXtreme]

LOL

[@boojangles]

She couldn't even pronounce bromeliad correctly; she didn't elaborate on misting and varied humidity levels.

[@ashley-annasledge9869]

How often should they be misted?

[@bloonaddictx]

This had absolutely zero information on what to do. Please take this down or change the title