The Aechmea, also known as the lance rosette, belongs to the pineapple family, as can easily be seen from the characteristically shaped leaves. The genus, which is native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, includes around 180 different species, of which Aechmea fasciata, with its striking bright pink flowers and banded leaves, is mainly cultivated as a houseplant.

The lance rosette belongs to the pineapple family

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. leaves
  4. flowers and flowering time
  5. fruit
  6. toxicity
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. substrate
  9. plants and repotting
  10. Pour Aechmea
  11. Fertilize Aechmea properly
  12. Properly cut Aechmea
  13. multiply Aechmea
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The lance rosette (bot. Aechmea fasciata) is one of around 180 different species of the genus Aechmea, which in turn belongs to the plant family of the bromeliads and pineapples (bot. Bromeliaceae). The popular houseplant is widespread in the tropical and subtropical rainforests of Brazil, but also occurs in other regions of Central and South America. There, the epiphytic plant thrives at altitudes between 700 and 1300 meters above sea level, far away from the ground and earth on the great jungle giants. Imported to England as early as 1826, the lance rosette is one of the most commonly cultivated bromeliads in the living room. This is not only due to her interesting growth and long-lasting flowering, but also to her simplicity.

    appearance and growth

    The species Aechmea fasciata is a so-called funnel or cistern bromeliad. These are epiphytic plants (“mount plants”) whose leaves form a wide rosette. This in turn serves as a funnel (€5.00) in which water collects. Funnel bromeliads are veritable small biotopes, as they serve as homes for smaller animal species (such as tree frogs) and various aquatic plants. The lance rosette - which owes its German name to the lance-like shape of its leaves, which is also indicated by the ancient Greek word aechme for "lance tip" - is up to 50 centimeters wide and 60 centimeters high.

    Incidentally, the species is also known to many indoor gardeners under the name "silver vase", since the silvery leaves form a funnel reminiscent of a vase.

    leaves

    The leaf rosette consists of about ten to 20 coarse, hard leaves with spines along the edges. These grow up to 50 centimeters long and up to ten centimeters wide. The interesting leaf markings, which can be banded or marbled, are typical of Aechmea fasciata. The drawing is caused by silvery-white suction scales (the so-called trichomes) distributed differently on the upper and lower sides of the leaves, which either appear over the entire surface or form transverse bands. There are also cultivars with yellow variegated leaves.

    flowers and flowering time

    Between July and November, the inflorescences of the Aechmea fasciata, which can be up to 35 centimeters in size, can be admired. These consist of pink-colored bracts armed with numerous spikes - the botanist speaks of bracts - which rise like a rosette on a shaft above the leaf funnel and the actual flowers. These in turn reach a length of up to approx. 3.5 centimeters and are threefold. The petals are initially blue in color and only turn red as they wither. The small flowers wither very quickly.

    fruit

    After flowering, the lance rosette forms pineapple-like berries, provided the hermaphrodite flowers are pollinated. However, the numerous Kindel are of greater importance for the propagation.

    toxicity

    Both the leaves and flowers of the Aechmea contain toxins that can irritate the skin. But that's not the only reason why you should always wear gloves when caring for them: many a gardener has injured himself on the heavily prickly plant.

    Which location is suitable?

    Epiphytic plants such as the lance rosette have a very high light requirement, after all, for this reason they grow on the jungle trees - and not in the shady ground area of the rainforest. Therefore, place Aechmea fasciata in a bright location, if possible directly next to a window, and ensure there is as much sunlight as possible. Direct sunlight does not harm the plant as long as it is protected from the scorching midday sun during the summer months.

    The bromeliad species is the perfect plant for the living room, as it needs temperatures of at least 18 °C all year round - better still around 20 °C - and also tolerates dry heating air quite well during the winter months. The only thing to avoid is strong fluctuations in temperature. In summer, the lance rosette feels at home in a bright but not directly sunny location on the balcony or terrace.

    substrate

    In contrast to the orchids, which also live epiphytically, Aechmea can also be cultivated very well in good potting soil (without peat, on a humus basis). This should have a pH of 5 and be mixed with Perlite, (€37.51) Expanded Clay (€19.73) or other suitable material for better permeability. Of course, you can also use commercially available bromeliad soil.

    untie

    Alternatively, a substrate-free culture for the lance rosette is also an option, especially as this corresponds to the natural environment. To do this, tie the plant to a piece of wood either with wire or with pantyhose. A base of sphagnum moss is not necessary and not recommended because of the risk of rot. When it comes to the wooden base, Aechmea is not very demanding and gets along with almost any type of wood. Oak, spruce or robinia wood, for example, are very suitable.

    plants and repotting

    If the Aechmea is to be cultivated in a planter, choose one of the heaviest possible material. A clay or ceramic pot is better than a plastic pot, as it offers more stability to the plant, which is quite top-heavy during the flowering period. The planter should also have a large drainage hole at the bottom of the pot through which excess water can drain. Prevent the drainage hole from becoming clogged by filling in inorganic, coarse material (e.g. potsherds, pebbles) as the bottom layer. After planting, the bromeliad plant must be watered vigorously.

    Since the epiphyte develops only a few roots, it does not need a particularly large pot, nor does it have to be repotted frequently. About every two to three years, however, it makes sense to transfer them to fresh substrate, whereby the old soil that has stuck to it must be removed as far as possible.

    Pour Aechmea

    Aechmea fasciata gets the moisture it needs from two sources: While you only have to water the plant moderately with low-lime water, the funnel in the heart of the leaf rosette should always be filled with water. Always supply the plant with collected rainwater or stagnant tap water when the substrate has dried on the surface. Reduce watering during the winter months between November and March.

    humidity

    Although the lance rosette gets along quite well with dry room air, it feels more comfortable as a typical rainforest plant with higher humidity. Therefore, spray them with lime-free water several times a week at temperatures above 18 °C. Avoid the inflorescence, otherwise it could rot.

    Fertilize Aechmea properly

    As an epiphyte, Aechmea has only a low nutrient requirement, which is why you only supply the plant with a highly diluted liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every two weeks between April and September. Always administer the fertilizer with the irrigation water, which you pour directly into the leaf funnel - the bromeliad species, on the other hand, does not or only with great difficulty absorb nutrients from the substrate because of the few roots. Fertilize specimens attached to wood by adding the agent to the spray water. There is no fertilization during the winter months.

    In the year after repotting, you also do not have to fertilize.

    Properly cut Aechmea

    Special cutting measures are neither necessary nor useful for the lance rosette. Only the faded inflorescence can be removed with a sharp and clean knife. Don't forget your gloves!

    multiply Aechmea

    The easiest way to propagate the lance rosette is through the so-called Kindel, which form in large numbers in the root area immediately after flowering. These are side shoots that ensure the survival of the plant - after all, the mother plant dies after flowering. If possible, leave the small Aechmea until next spring and only separate them when they are about half the size of the mother plant. From April, expose the sprouting points in the substrate, separate the children and plant them separately in new pots.

    hibernate

    Between November and March you should only observe the following care rules:

    • Sufficiently bright location even in the cold (and poorly lit) season
    • water slowly less from October
    • from November only water reduced
    • do not fertilize after November
    • ensure temperatures between 18 and 20 °C all year round
    • Avoid strong temperature fluctuations (e.g. during winter airing).
    • no draft
    • slowly increase the watering quantity from March
    • fertilize again from April

    diseases and pests

    With regard to diseases and pests, the lance rosette proves to be pleasingly robust, although problems usually arise in relation to care errors:

    • brown leaves: leaves burn in too sunny location, humidity too low, temperature too low
    • Decay (rotting leaves or flowers, smell of rot from the substrate): too much water, waterlogging, room temperature too low
    • Spider mites or mealybugs and scale insects: mainly occur when the air humidity is too low

    The pests mentioned can be combated very well with a self-made preparation made from one liter of (lime-free) water, 15 milliliters of curd soap and 15 milliliters of alcohol (optional). Be sure to isolate the affected plant to avoid infection and spray it every few days with the household remedy described.

    tips

    If the Aechmea doesn't really want to bloom, the following trick sometimes helps: Cut a ripe apple in half, empty the plant's water reservoir and leave the apple in there for a few days. The fruit emits ethylene, a gas that promotes flowering and fruit ripening.

    species and varieties

    In addition to the "wild form" described here, there are various varieties of the species Aechmea fasciata, which, for example, have different flower colors - in addition to pink flowers, there are also varieties with yellow-orange flowers - and multicolored leaves. 'Variegata', for example, develops strikingly colored leaves with broad, yellow vertical stripes. If you don't like spikes, you can use the 'Primera' variety, whose inflorescences are smooth and unreinforced.

Category:

Vegetable garden