Brown Pink
Posted on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
What to do when pink quill bract turns from pink to brown?
I have a pink quill plant that had a beautiful pink “feather” looking bract coming out of the center. The plant seems healthy, although the pink center part has turned brown. Should I do anything, ex. cut that part off?
Debbie,
The “Pink Quill” is the common name for Tillandsia cyanea, a member of the bromeliad family. It is normal for the bract to turn brown after a while. When the bract becomes unsightly just cut it off. Keep watering the plant like you have been doing and you will see several small “pups” or offshoots forming at the base. The new plants will give you new blooms next year. As the mother plant slowly dies off just pull off the brown leaves. You could remove the pups and repot them if you want but I prefer to let them grow as a bunch. In a few years you will have many blooms at the same time.
Here is a good description of the bromeliad family from Clemson University. Look down the list alphabetically for Tillandsia cyanea and you will get some more tips on growing them.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/indoor/foliage/hgic1501.html
Here is a picture of a Tillandsia cyanea which has been allowed to multiply without removing the pups:
http://www.infojardin.com/galeria/data/500/medium/BROMELIA_Tillandsia_cyanea_CLAVEL_DEL_AIRE_2.jpg
Try some of the other bromeliads and you will get hooked. You can go the the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies website for hundreds of pictures of bromeiads.
http://fcbs.org/pictures.htm
Good Luck,
Tom
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