Dying plants can be quite an eyesore as it dulls the surrounding areas around them. There can be a handful of reasons as to why your bromeliad plant is dying and you have to take actions accordingly to revive it.
How do you save or revive a dying bromeliad plant?
The best way you can revive a dying bromeliad plant is by pruning off any leaves or flowers that show signs of brownness. Also, ensure to prune off the flowers once the blooming season is over. Give your plant the proper amounts of water and bright but indirect sunlight to keep it happy.
Bromeliad usually tends to get worn out after blooming once. This is the way it functions, however, you surely can take good care of it after the blooming season is over and prevent it from dying.
Pruning it:
After your plant is done blooming and once it starts to show signs of brownness ensure to prune the flower off using a sharp pair of scissors.
After it has finished blooming, your bromeliad plant will have the tendency to start fading so if you remove the flower away it will ensure that the plant stays healthy for a longer amount of time. It also ends up growing little pups which you save up.
Bright and filtered sunlight:
The most important step to reviving your plant is making sure that it gets the proper sunlight. Give them an adequate amount of bright sunlight daily so that they start producing enough energy to start thriving.
Also, make sure that the sunlight your plant is receiving is filtered or it might end up scorching your plant. It is best to keep your plant near a west side window.
Check the water levels:
You should check your plant’s soil. They are more tolerant towards droughts but overly wet soil can harm them. The best way to keep them thriving is to make sure that their soil is moist and only water it when the top two-inch of the soil has dried out.
You must also have a good drainage system for your soil as overly moist soil can harm it further instead of saving it. Do not water them through a metal pot as they do not work well with metal. You can also try using distilled water if nothing else ends up working.
Humidity levels:
Bromeliads are tropical plants and thus do better in higher humidity levels. To save your plant, you must ensure a warmer temperature around it as well as a higher humidity level.
They will do better in over 60% levels of humidity so you should either get a humidifier or keep misting your plant regularly. Also, make sure to keep your plant away from cooler temperatures or air conditioners.
Fertilizer:
You can also try fertilizing your plant and only use ones that are water-soluble. They do not require it but it can help restore their growth. However, you will have to be careful because too much fertilizer can end up having adverse effects on your plant.
Why are my bromeliads dying?
There can be multiple reasons as to why your bromeliad is not doing so well which is why you must cater to it and help revive it.
Natural reasons:
Bromeliads only bloom once and after they are done blooming they start to fade out. This is a very natural process and it can be quite tricky to revive them. They grow pups that you can save, but saving the entire plant can take time and lots of effort.
Not enough or too much sunlight:
Getting the right amount of sunlight for your plant can be quite tricky. If your plant is getting too much direct sunlight you will see that the leaves have started browning or showing brown spots.
Contrary, if your plant is not receiving enough indirect sunlight it does not have enough energy to survive. Your plant will start to droop.
Overwatering:
Bromeliads are quite tolerant of droughts, however, they do not do well with overwatering. Overly moist soil can end up damaging the overall health of your plant.
Other than that, you must also ensure to not use a metal pot for them as it might end up triggering and causing it to dry.
Humidity:
Low humidity or a cooler climate can be a reason why your plant is not doing well.
Bromeliads are tropical plants and thus require a higher humidity level and warmer weather to survive and if you cannot mimic their natural conditions then your plant will not do well after blooming.
What to do with a dying bromeliad?
Bromeliads have a shorter lifespan and the best thing you can do is pruning it off once they are done blooming. You can save the pup they grow after the bloom.
However, if you are determined to save your plant then you can prune off the bloom and start taking better care of it by mimicking its ideal natural environmental conditions in which it will survive better for a longer time.
Can you bring a bromeliad back to life?
Once your bromeliad has bloomed it is quite difficult to keep it going and it is easier to revive if it has not bloomed before. You can never expect it to bloom again since it blooms only once.
However, if you are willing to put in the time and effort then you can keep your plant surviving for a longer period of time and growing pups which you can end up saving.
How to care for a dying bromeliad plant?
The best way to care for a dying bromeliad plant is by mimicking its ideal living conditions which are tropical conditions. This includes giving them an adequate amount of bright but indirect sunlight daily. Water the soil only when the top inch of the soil is dry.
Also, provide your plant with at least 60% humidity and a warmer environment. Ensure to prune off any browning parts of the plant.
Should I repot my bromeliad?
Bromeliads do not have any complex rooting system. This is why it is not quite necessary to repot your plant. However, if you feel like you have examined all the other areas and your plant is still not thriving then you can give repotting a try.
It can help your plant if you have purchased it a while back and have not repotted it since.
How to repot a bromeliad?
The most important part when repotting your plant is ensuring that you have chosen the right well-drained soil mix. Ensure to pick a proper pot that is a well-draining system and since the plant does not grow too big do not use a larger pot.
Clean off any soil clumps from your plant and prune off any brown or droopy bits of your plant before placing them inside the new pot.
How to trim or prune bromeliad leaves?
Make sure to always wear gloves when trimming your plant. Grab a sharp pair of scissors and sterilize them so that your plant does not get affected by germs.
Cut off the browned leaves or blooms from the base but ensure to not damage or expose parts of the plant as it can end up hurting your plant. Trimming off these browned bits helps your plant to heal on and survive better.
How do you save an overwatered bromeliad?
If the root has ended up rotting too much then there is nothing you can do to help save your plant. However, if it has not started rotting then you can take some quick measures to help save your plant.
Remove any flowers, leaves, or tissues that have rotten due to overwatering immediately. Then allow your plant to dry out for a while and have proper circulating oxygen around it. Let all the water drain out fully and keep out in the sunlight to help the procedure quicken up.
This should help your bromeliad get better.
What does it mean if my bromeliad is turning brown?
If the mother plant is fading then it is common for the bromeliad to start browning. They have a short lifespan and this is part of the process. Another reason for your bromeliad to be browning can be caused by too much bright and direct sunlight.
This sunlight can end up scorching and hurting your plant. In turn, this can end up creating brown spots or overall browning on your bromeliad plant.
Final Thoughts:
There is no guarantee if you can save a bromeliad once it has bloomed once and started to dry. This is a part of their lifespan. They are easier to recover if not bloomed. However, with the right effort, you can help save your plant and survive it a little longer and help it grow out pups to save.
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