Re: Billgergia nutans

David,
Many thanks for your comprehensive reply.

I may try planting it on the trunk of a largish mature Washingtonia - I
haven't attempted this before but it may prove to require much more
watering with such small soil pockets.

I will look out for the other Billbergias that you mention.  If they are
as easy as B. nutans and have such pretty flowers, they are certainly
worth having.  I have some Aechmea fasciatas which I grow indoors for
Winter and bring out to the covered terrace for the Summer.  Have you
tried growing these outside all year?  Is it the cold, rain or wind or a
combination that causes the most problems for more tender plants.

Cheers
Maria.

----- Original Message -----
From: "david feix" <davidfeix@yahoo.com>
To: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: 27 March 2002 22:18
Subject: Re: Billgergia nutans


> Hi Maria,
>
> This is certainly one of the easiest to grow
> bromeliads, and it is very hardy as long as it isn't
> treated like a mediterranean climate plant!  They want
> some moisture year round, and is probably easiest to
> grow in bright or dappled shade.  In cooler coastal
> areas such as my Berkeley, Calif. garden, it is also
> easy to grow in full sun.  It is hardy down to -6/7C
> without problems, although the bloom spikes might be
> damaged at much below -2/3C.
>
> In full sun, the leaves can take on a rosy background
> color, but will burn if subjected to full sun after
> being grown in shade.  The best time to transition
> almost any bromeliad from shade to more sun is during
> the late fall, they then adapt better without burning
> foliage.  B. nutans doesn't really demand very much of
> the gardener, tolerating only monthly watering if
> grown
> in shade and out of the wind.  I'd advise separating
> the plant before planting out, it multiplies so
> quickly, and looks less crowded if divided about every
> 2~3 years.
>
> Some other Billbergias are well worth seeking out, and
> do just as well in the garden.  B. sanderiana, B.
> amoena, B. pyramidalis 'Kyoto' and the especially
> beautiful flowering B. 'Diana', with coppery orange
> foliage and orange flowers similar in character to B.
> nutans is particularly nice.
>
>
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