Bromeliadsencompass many more plant life than the unwashed pineapple . Some grow without soil , others maintain their own “ compost piles ” and still others blush before they bloom . They have extremely diverging increment habit , colors , shape and size . This large and diverse group supply fibre , intellectual nourishment , kernel tenderizer and beauty indoors and out in USDA Zones 9 and high .
No Soil Needed
Epiphytic bromeliads sequester themselves to tree diagram , vines , buildings and even telephone wires in their aboriginal home ground . They expend the structures that would otherwise be their roots to fasten themselves firmly to a perch . The industrial plant are able to absorb piss and nutrient from the air through structures call trichomes on their leaf surface , giving them the nickname , “ breeze industrial plant . ”
Plant Shapes
Bromeliads let in a variety of dissimilar shapes that would not seem to be related at all . Among these are :
Making Meat More Tender
The ananas – the only edible member of the bromeliad kinfolk – contains an enzyme known as bromelain . Although it is present in the leave of absence and fruit , it is evoke primarily from the root word . The enzyme is capable to stomach protein and is used as a gist tenderizer . It has also been used to help regale terrible burn injury by debriding damaged tissue .
Acquiring Nutrients
Many bromeliads have a loving cup in the middle of the central leaf rosette . Called “ tank ” in some species , these cup collect rainwater weewee and dew . They act as a man-made lake for the plant . In addition , debris from other plants fall into the cupful and small insects may conk and leave their bodies to waste . Frogs or birds may also supply food through their dung .
Temperature Range
The temperature range across the bromeliad group is quite blanket . The common recommendation is 70 to 90 ° F ( 21 to 32 ° C ) during the 24-hour interval and 50 to 70 ° F ( 10 to 21 ° coulomb ) at night . With higher humidity and good melody movement , many plant can handle higher temperature . On the low end , most choose a Sir David Alexander Cecil Low of 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) , but some can tolerate temperature down to freeze , specially with some shelter .
Bromeliad Blooms
Unlike many other plants , bromeliads onlybloomonce . After that , the plant turns its Energy Department to produce offsets calledpupsto multiply the mother plant . However , the blooms can be extremely long - lasting – up to a twelvemonth in some mintage . The flowers themselves grade from spectacular to insignificant . In some font , it is the surrounding leaves that are brilliantly colour instead .
