How should bromeliad be watered?

Bromeliads are really pretty plants. Even though they only bloom once in their lifetime, this flower - which is actually an inflorescence made up of bracts (which we confuse with petals) and a few small flowers that are grouped at the top - is very colorful. But of course, in order for it to be able to produce it, It is important that your vital needs are met.

And of all these needs, the most urgent when we talk about those bromeliads that are kept in pots is undoubtedly that of irrigation. Water is essential for life, so if we want our plant to stay healthy for a long period of time, we have to know how to water it. How should irrigation be?, that is, what type of water to use, how much to add and how often.

What is the best water for bromeliad?

All plants can benefit from rainwater, as long as it is pure, that is, not contaminated. Bromeliad is no exception. That is why it is so advisable, if possible, to have buckets or other uncovered containers outside during rainy days, so that collect and store it to use when needed.

But, fortunately or unfortunately, it does not rain equally in all parts of the world. In my area, for example, in the extreme south of the island of Mallorca, only about 300 mm of water fall per year. I live in the driest area of ​​this island, and the worst thing is not that, but that when it rains it usually does so in torrential rain (and, more than once, my garden has been flooded), so the water is so strong that it is quickly lost, because the soil, having been dry for months, absorbs it very slowly.

Then, If it doesn't usually rain much in your area, you will have to choose to water it with another type of water, one that is suitable for human consumption.. I have read on many occasions that you can use tap water to water the Seek out other bromeliads now to prevent them from drying out, but this doesn't have to be the case. If the water is calcareous (as is the case in my town, for example), it is not suitable for our protagonist.

If you are unsure whether or not you can use it for your bromeliad, simply ask yourself this question: would you drink it and/or use it for cooking? If the answer is no, then you should not use it.

Y, What happens to the water in the air conditioner? Can you use it for watering? Well, it depends. For carnivorous plants, it is a very good water because it has no nutrients, but for bromeliads it is not good for the same reason. If you water bromeliads or other plants - that are not carnivorous - with this type of water, in the end all you do is wet the soil, but nothing more. The lack of nutrients in this water can actually cause it to die.

How much water should you add?

We now move on to answer this question. How much water does a potted bromeliad need? This will depend greatly on the size of the pot, as well as the size of the plant itself. If it is young, it may need a glass of water, but if it is larger, it will most likely need to be given a little more. To avoid any confusion, I recommend adding water until it runs out of the drainage holes in the pot. 

Of course, you have to check that the water you are pouring is absorbed by the soil almost immediately. I mean, If you see that the water is not absorbed, but is going to the sides and coming out of the container, then you will have to take measures., for example, taking the pot - without removing the plant - and placing a deep plate underneath it. Then, fill the plate with water, and leave it there until it has absorbed all the water.

If you see that it is difficult, then it is because the ground has become very hard.To fix this, you may just need to "press" the pot several times to get the soil to crumble, but if not, you will have to take a stick or a fork and poke some holes in it.

How often should you water bromeliads?

The frequency of watering will vary as the months go by. While in summer it may be necessary to water the bromeliad every two or three days, during the other seasons it will be necessary to do so much less frequently. But so that there is no doubt, and as I always say, The best thing you can do is check the soil of your plant..

And for that, although they exist digital moisture metersI honestly don't find them very useful. I think it's much better - and cheaper - to use the stick technique. With a simple wooden or plastic stick of varying length, you can quickly determine whether the soil is wet or dry.

For that, You will have to insert it to the bottom of the pot -hence it has to be a bit long-, as this way you will know for sure if your plant needs watering or not. Once you take it out -carefully-, check if it is moist, and if it is, then you will not have to water.

Before finishing, remember that it is normal for the most superficial layers of the earth to dry quickly; not in vain, they are more exposed to weather conditions. Therefore, We should avoid watering whenever we see that this layer is dry, because the lower layers may still be wet.

I hope that now you know how to water bromeliads.