Neoregelia carolinae – Flowering plants

Neoregelia carolinae plant is an evergreen perennial herbaceous epiphytic bromeliad colloquially called blushing bromeliad. It gets the name Blushing Bromeliad due to the way the leaves in the center of the plant turn bright red as the plant begins to bloom. Neoregelia carolinae has narrow, ribbon-like, leathery, bent gracefully outward and then inward, up to 40 cm long and 2,5-3,5 cm wide, spine-tipped with somewhat densely toothed edges, hairless above, obscurely scaly beneath. Outer leaves are shiny glossy olive-green while the leaves surrounding the central cavity before the blossoming, become of a red color near the base, which persists for about one year. Sheaths large, sparsely covered with minute, dark brown scales. The flower itself is not showy, staying hidden deep inside the crown. The carolinae tricolor has the most attractive leaves from this species, which have green and whitish colored stripes along the length of each leaf.

Scientific Name: Neoregelia carolinae
Common Name: Blushing Bromeliad

 

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Neoregelia carolinae:

Light:
For the most part sun to almost total shade. Plants develop the best foliage color in bright light but do not appreciate the direct full sun.

Soil:
Neoregelia carolinae will grow in almost any well-drained soil or epiphyte mix that is moist and organic in nature.

Temperature:
Normal to just above average temperatures of 65 – 80ºF are best suited. Avoid lower than 55ºF (13ºC).

Water:
Fill the inside vase with water, utilizing distilled or rain-sourced water, and change it every four to six weeks. The soil needs to be kept slightly moist but not soaked.

Fertilizer:
Little fertilizer is required although some growers do use a diluted liquid seaweed fertilizer every 6 months, usually spring and autumn. Over-fertilization will cause excess leaf growth and a lack of color.

Pruning:
Basically just removal of dead leaves to keep it tidy.

Propagation:
Propagate from the offset suckers that develop around the mother plant.

Pests and Diseases:
Watch for pest scale insects and mealybugs. Neoregelia is also vulnerable to bacterial soft rot and leaf spot and fungal leaf spots.