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tropic plant are considered as some of the good one to grow as houseplants , not just because of their adaptability to indoor options but also because of the alone extravagant flare they bring into a room that no othercommon business firm plantspossess .
A favorite among thesebeautiful tropical plantsis the Aechmea ( also known as urn plant or the smooth-spoken vase ) . This large - leaf genus of plants come in exotic color splashes and bear one of a sort blooms that will definitely make any blank more interesting and fresher .
develop Aechmeas indoors is pretty straight - forward and with the right care and condition , they will provide attractive foliage and flowers that are long - long-lasting .
What is an Urn Plant?
Aechmea is a member of the family , Bromeliaceae . This genus houses over 250 specie develop in different tropic and subtropical forests of South America .
Because of the interesting form and growth riding habit of the works , it may be the most popularly grown and train of allbromeliads(1 ) .
The name Aechmea was derived from the Greek word for ‘ spear ’ owe to the stiff , lance - alike leaves of the flora . These leaves gather in a basal rose window physical body with a hollow , loving cup - shaped center that catches rain in the wilderness for the works ’s moisture supply ( 2 ) .
This is also the understanding why the Aechmea is usually referred to as the Urn or Silver Vase plant .
What Makes the Urn Plant Unique?
There are several thing alone about thisornamental flowering plant . One is Aechmeas do n’t have an upper - priming coat shank and their mantrap is predominantly showcased by the spiny - edged leafage that comes in bicolors , strip , mottled , or a combination of these ( 1 ) .
secondly , although they can grow in dirt , Aechmeas are epiphytic in nature , spring up on other strong and established plants without deal any aliment from them .
They attach their roots to Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree branches for anchorage and also , this position allow them to have access to adequate moisture and strain sunlight in forests ( 3 ) .
It takes about 2 years for an urn plant tobloom during springtime , its flower emerge in the middle of the little potato in spike , panicle or raceme form .
The florets come in red , yellow-bellied , and blue air held by showy bract and the burst of color tolerate out against the evergreen plant leafage for several months ( 4 ) .
How To Grow Urn Plants Indoors?
Light and Temperature
Urns , or Aechmea fasciata , maturate in bright , indirect Light Within , making them ideal for internal configurations with east or west - facing window . They can hold up some intense morning sunshine but too much verbatim sunshine may glow their leaves .
Maintain medium elbow room temperature set out from 60 ° F to 80 ° F ( 15 ° atomic number 6 to 27 ° speed of light ) throughout the day and more or less depressed at night .
Urn plant are cold - sensitive , so avoid expose them to temperatures below 50 ° F ( 10 ° coke ) . Urn plant benefit with steady , moderate temperatures and bright , indirect lightness .
Will an Urn Plant Flower Indoors?
The inflorescence of Aechmeas relies heavy on low-cal levels . The plant generally prefers partial shadowiness so when placed under bright twinkle , the peak tend to be in full form but the color is not as vivacious .
There are also varieties that have tall bloom lasting for months and these will need decent illumination to maintain the colouring material .
Water and Humidity
Native to tropical timber , urn plant thrives in gamey humidness and moist surface . Rainwater provides the sourness that they need but in an indoor setting , they can be planted in a peat - based mixing and spray with decalcified piss instead ( 5 ) .
It is important to keep the Aechmea ’s growing media only slightly moist because if it is too wet , the crown of the works may rot . The cup portion of the center of the works is its natural warehousing of wet .
Soil
Urns , or Aechmea fasciata , thrive in a well - draining soil mix specifically formulated for epiphytic bromeliads , mimicking their rude habitat of well - aerated and slightly moist environment . A portmanteau of orchid bark , perlite , and peat moss provides the ideal balance of aeration and wet retention .
avert hard or wad grease , as they can result to waterlogging and beginning bunkum . to boot , incorporate some organic matter to boost goodly root growth and nutrient uptake . Maintain a slimly acidic to electroneutral soil pH around 5.5 to 6.5 .
on a regular basis moderate dirt wet levels and pee urn plants when the top in of the soil feels ironic to the touch , ensuring proper hydration without creating soggy soil conditions .
Propagate Aechmeas
A potting mix made of equal component of sphagnum moss , shredded barque , and backbone is found to be one of the secure produce culture medium for Urn plants .
Use balanced liquid fertilizer at half the recommended pace , once during the summer months , when they are place outdoors to recover ( 1 ) .
After an Aechmea flowers , the russet scab of leaves die . Several young funnel leaves will formulate at the al-Qaida of the parent flora , sometimes alongside a colourful flower prow . These will eventually work roots and grow into a raw plant life , have intercourse as ‘ pups ’ that can be potted one by one ( 3 ) .
Instead of originate by seeds , these pups are the most common source of planting materials as they grow and establish faster .
Pests and Diseases
Aphids , leaf miners , and tinge are some of the most common pest of bromeliads . A specific type of aphids called rice root aphid , dark green or orangish brown in color , set on the root of Vase plants causing scrawny growth .
Leaf miners are larvae of fly sheet , moth , and beetle that create a tunnel - looking blueprint on the control surface of the bromeliads ’ leaves . Pineapple mites infest Aechmea by sucking out the plant juices through the folio , which can also have brown leaf point and discoloration ( 2 ) .
Popular Varieties of Aechmea fasciata
Here are some common case of urn plants :
1. Silver Vase (A. trifasciata)
This Urn industrial plant is characterize by its chalky - grey leave and the violet flowers in between the Great Pyramid - spring pink bract . The greyish color of the funnel is due to the white miniscule scales cover the leaves which disappear when touch , derive in contact with water , or when there is not enough light source .
Of all Aechmeas , this is the easiest to spring up as a houseplant , at elbow room temperature as it can tolerate relatively dry and semi - shaded experimental condition .
2. Blanchet’s Aechmea (A. blanchetiana)
This metal money of Aechmea is often found providing a tropic shining vibration to a front grand , in mass planting or in containers and plantation owner . The urn plant life grows big , normally up to more than a meter tall .
The funnel shape is made of attractive orangish leaves with red tips . In more shaded area , the plant is greener but still provides a staring screen background to the equally striking panicle of blood-red and yellowish flowers . These farseeing lasting flowers are often used as cut flowers with a shelf sprightliness of up to 3 week .
3. Brazilian Vase (A. distichantha)
One of the easiest vase plants to keep , this Aechmea go in shaded field of the garden and thrives well indoors .
The little potato of green to dark - green spiky farewell is looser and in the middle of the plant life emerges a improbable flowered shuck draw up of red or pinkish bracts , each housing touchy purple , blue , or white blossom .
The flower last for week , sometimes calendar month and are very striking when in full bloom against the dark leave . The plant spring up a manageable size so it is everlasting when pot but makes an excellent groundcover when grow in a compact mass too .
Other Aechmea coinage to look at for an indoor setting are :
FAQs
Do urn plants like sun or shade ?
Urn plants , such as those in the Aechmea genus , prefer bright , collateral light . They can suffer some lineal sunlight , specially morning Lord’s Day , but vivid good afternoon sun can make leafage burn .
How often do you irrigate urn plants ?
Water urn plants good when the top in of dirt feels dry , typically every 1 - 2 weeks . aline tearing absolute frequency based on agent such as temperature , humidity , and commode size , secure the territory is equally moist but not waterlogged .
What is the life of an aechmea ?
The lifespan of an Aechmea can vary depending on specie , growing conditions , and care provided . Generally , they are long - lived plant , with some species living for several age or more when provided with proper urn plant life care . After blooming , individual little potato may decline , but many Aechmea species create offsets or pups that continue the plant ’s life cycle .
Does the urn plant need to be repot ?
No , you do n’t need to repot your urn plant unless it has outgrown its container or you wish well to split up it into multiple plant . If you opt to repot , use a well - draining potting mix and see to it that the new pot is just slightly bigger than the previous one .
Final thoughts
In determination , the urn plant , or Aechmea fasciata , is a stunning bromeliad with unique foliage and vivacious bloom . By stick with these urn plant care tips , you may ensure your plant thrives and add a ghost of the tropical zone to your space .
recollect , provide well - drain soil , hold ordered moisture point without overwatering , and offer bright , indirect sun . With proper care , your urn plant will reward you with its capture beauty for years to come . well-chosen urn flora tending !
References
Reference List :
( 1 ) Oldenwald , N. & Turner , J. ( 2006 ) . Identification , Selection , and Use of Souther Plants : For Landscape Design , p. 15 . Claitor ’s Law Books and Publishing .
( 2 ) Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies . ( 1995 ) . Bromeliad Pests . [ online ] usable at : https://www.fcbs.org/articles/BromeliadPests/BromeliadPests.htm
( 3 ) Vermeulen , N. ( 1999 ) . cyclopedia of House Plants , p. 183 . Taylor & Francis .
( 4 ) University of Florida . ( 2017 ) . Bromeliad : Aechmea . [ online ] Available at : https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp015
( 5 ) Goodin , C. ( 2018 ) . Smartee flora : A Professional ’s usher to Indoor Plant Care , p. 204 - 210 . C. Dorrance Publishing .
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