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 A
large bromeliad growing in our garden is causing quite
considerable interest at present. It's name is Ananas
bracteatus and it originates in Brazil. Ananas is the
species to which our familiar golden yellow pineapple
belongs (Ananas cosmosus).
Our bromeliad has large long green and
pink barbed leaves - which will intensify in colour to rosy
red when exposed to bright sunlight. The flower spike first
appears and a spectacular red bloom forms, which slowly
develops into the most brilliant red pineapple - lasting for
several months. The fruit itself grows to about 18
centimetres in length, crowned by the familiar shaped spiked
top that we see on our edible golden yellow pineapple.
In our garden, the plant is situated
under trees in open mulched soil, where it receives filtered
light - but is exposed to some direct sunlight each day. It
can be a somewhat hazardous plant to handle - the barbs can
inflict quite a nasty wound - so it needs to be placed in a
position where there is as little chance as possible of
brushing against it.
The plant is very slow growing and I
had to wait several years for our first beautiful red
pineapple - so one has to be very patient. However, it is
well worth the wait! Small offshoots or pups - as they are
commonly called - form both on the fruit itself and at the
base of the plant. These can be carefully removed and
planted. I have already planted out a couple and they are
doing well in pots containing approximately two thirds
orchid mix and one third potting mix.
This showy plant has given us a great
deal of pleasure and is quite a garden conversation
piece! Our original plant came from a specialist bromeliad
grower - I have never seen them in our usual nurseries - so
they may not be easy to find.
Jan Stockwell
- You can email
Jan on
janstock4@gmail.com
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