Vriesia Splenriet, or Brilliant - a popular houseplant with an unusual appearance and specific flowering. The article describes the mechanisms of cultivation and reproduction of the flower, the difficulties faced by novice flower growers, as well as ways to eliminate them.
Botanical description
Evergreen decorative representative of the bromeliad family from South America - vrieseia (vriesea) - belongs to the genus of herbaceous epiphytes. Large and narrow, beautifully curved and pointed at the ends, leathery with a smooth surface, the belt-like leaves of Vriesia Splenriet reach a length of 50-70 cm. 
In the process of growth, the latter form an outlet with an inner funnel, in which not only water accumulates, but also microorganisms that feed the plant. This reservoir is the only "organ" through which the flower eats water, the remaining nutrients enter through the foliage during photosynthesis under the action of solar energy.
Sometimes these dark green parts of a plant can have brown or maroon-cherry stripes, due to which the flower is often called Tiger Vriesia. The pedo- or spiky peduncle has an intense red color and reaches 40-50 cm in height, and the flowers are distinguished by a yellow tone and a slight waxy coating.
Did you know? Epiphytes are plants that literally do not need a connection to the soil. Under natural conditions, they feed on rainwater and organic residues from the branches and trunks of trees, drifts, and rocky cliffs, to which most of them are attached.
Plant species
In the wild, a considerable number of species of this plant grows, apparently almost the same, differing in color of leaves and flowers, as well as in height. The foliage can be monochromatic dark green, have a marble pattern, light or, conversely, dark stains, and bracts differ in shades of red, orange, yellow and green tones.
With plain leaves
Varieties of vriezii with monotonous green foliage (preference for high levels of atmospheric humidity):
- Parrot-shaped (bright scarlet peduncle, on the bract, there is a transition from red to yellow-orange tone, the leaves are monochromatic dark green).
- Kilevataya (keel- or boat-shaped leaves, characteristic multi-flowered inflorescence, passing from red-orange to yellow color).
- Astrid (bright light green color of leaves, scarlet peduncle).
- Mix (rich green foliage, yellow and red scaly bracts).
With striped leaves
Types of vriezii with striped motley foliage (the shade of the “smears” on the leaves can be in the color range from bright green to purple or gray):
- Hieroglyphic (special "torn" patterns on the leaves, consisting as if of a multitude of symbols, flowers have a yellow tint, bracts - a bright green tone).
- Holed (brown-red leaves, covered with longitudinal and transverse stripes of dark green color, spike inflorescence differs in olive bracts and soft yellow flowers).
- Vriesia Sanders (off-green leaves with characteristic lilac splashes, flowers of yellow tone).
- Giant royal (reaches a meter in height, the peduncle is characterized by a pink shade, the inflorescence is in the form of a panicle of expressive yellow-white color, the leaves are dark green with yellow spots and the leaves are on top, the lilac-scarlet leaves are below).
Growing conditions
When caring for a flower, it is necessary to observe the mode of humidity and air temperature of the rooms. The last indicator should be at the level comfortable for a person - + 18… + 25 ° C, the optimum temperature - + 22 ° C. It is important to ensure the humidity of 60-70%, regularly sprinkling (in the heat - 1-2 times a day), as well as placing an open vessel with water next to the vriesia.
When spraying, be careful: water should not fall on the bracts. The flower reacts negatively to sudden changes in temperature, so when airing it must be carefully protected from drafts.
Important! Vriesia stops its growth if the room is too hot or cold and dies when the temperature drops below + 15 ° C.
Released from the tropics, vriesia is grown in partial shade and with muted diffused light. A suitable place to grow are windowsills that are oriented to the east or west. However, as practice shows, even the northern location of the pot with variezia has a positive effect on its growth and development (with proper care, of course).
In the summer, it is allowed to make a flower in open air conditions, but with obligatory placement in a closed area from direct sunlight (to avoid burns), especially during the time period from 11 o'clock to 17 o'clock in the evening. In the summer and spring, the soil in the reservoir with vriezii should be constantly wet, but not wet, and in winter - slightly dried.
Landing features
When buying a flower, inspect it: the leaves of the plant must be healthy and elastic, and the root system must be safely and firmly hidden in a pot under the ground cover. Next, consider how to plant Vriesia. 
Pot selection
Despite the fact that they sell vriesia in pots, it can develop in the natural environment without a substrate, which makes it stand out among other indoor plants. At the same time, the roots are poorly developed, therefore, when choosing a vessel for planting a flower, it is worthwhile to focus on the fact that they should be placed in a pot literally "right next to".
The drainage hole at the bottom of the tank is considered integral. It is preferable to choose flat and wide ceramic tanks up to 15 cm high: in a standard pot, the plant has every chance to roll over due to its peculiar root system.
Did you know? The genus of Vriesia was created in 1843 by the British scientist John Lindley, and the flower is named after the famous doctor and botanist from Holland - Willem Henrik de Vries.
You can also try to bring the flower breeding environment closer to the natural conditions of the development of epiphytes: in the bark or piece of bark, in the crack of a large stone, or at the junction of the last two. Before installing vriezii in such an unusual place, its root system should be wrapped with moss-sphagnum, wound with a nylon thread or wire and carefully fixed on the object.
In this case, the further feeding of the plant is done by detaching the plant and placing it in water for a couple of hours. After that, the liquid must completely drain from the vriezii, and only then the flower can be returned to its original place. 
Selection and treatment of soil
As a soil, it is recommended to purchase a specially prepared for this and similar families of plants (bromeliads and orchids) a sod-peat mixture with the addition of sand, pine bark, leaf humus and sphagnum moss.
Mandatory porosity of the soil: for this purpose, 1/3 of the flower pot is recommended to be filled with expanded clay or rubble. The required degree of soil acidity is low or moderate. After acquiring the substrate, it must be disinfected by irrigating with potassium permanganate solution or roasting in the oven.
Important! Spikes should grow around the parent plant for about 2-3 months. The more they stay around him, the better their root system will be formed, the less discomfort will be and the more likely they will take root.
Landing technology
A step-by-step guide for planting is presented as follows:
- At the bottom of a previously prepared container, fill the drainage (crushed shards, expanded clay, charcoal or small garden gravel) in combination with activated charcoal to avoid root decay, acidification and the development of infections and fungal diseases.
- Pour half of the sterilized soil into the pot.
- Carefully handle the root system of the plant, place it in the ground and gently sprinkle with the remnants of the soil on the sides and on top of the plant.
- In order to evenly distribute the substrate to the pot, it is necessary to knock lightly on the table or other surface with the bottom of the latter.
- The final stage - moving the pot to a permanent place, which should be warm and moderately lit.
- After the outlet, the plants are filled with water and left in this state for some time in order to adapt the flower to the new habitat conditions. In addition, a small amount of water must be watered and the substrate.
- After a few days, operations for the care of vrieseia are performed in the mode prescribed for it.
Cultivation and care at home
Consider the requirements for the care of this ornamental plant when grown in indoor conditions.
Fertilization and watering
The moisture-loving flower does not have enough ordinary watering of the soil: while there is no peduncle, the socket must be filled with water, separated for 24 hours and filtered from calcareous impurities, at room temperature, since hot or cold can cause stress to the flower. The optimum water temperature for irrigation is + 22 ° C. Ideal to use thawed or rainwater.
The correct mode of watering vriezii Splenriet in the warm season, as well as changing the water in the outlet (in order to avoid stagnant fluids) - 3-4 times a week. In the cold season, the outlet is filled with water for a couple of hours, and then the excess is absorbed with a soft sponge. At the same time, wetting of the substrate should be moderate, since dampness can cause rotting of the root system.
Important! The plant is sensitive to fluorine and chlorine in water, so you should be careful with watering a flower with tap water.
If the fluid in the outlet does not evaporate between the irrigations, replace it by removing the old one with a napkin, cotton pad or soft cloth. In addition, make sure that no dust, debris or soil gets into the leafy funnel - failure to follow this rule leads to the development of putrefactive bacteria and plant disease.
During flowering, on the contrary, the presence of water in the outlet is contraindicated, as it may cause a rapid rotting of the flower. In order to aesthetics, the leaves of the flower are recommended to regularly wipe off dust with a damp sponge.
In cold autumn and winter, when the temperature in the room is kept at + 20 ° C and below, 1-2 waterings per 7 days are enough. The outer layer of soil between irrigation should dry at least 1 cm. At this time of year, the plant should not be placed near the batteries, and the air in the room should be moistened artificially. A sphagnum moss can be placed around the flowerpot or wet claydite can be placed in the pan, however, the accumulation of residual moisture in the pan should be avoided. 
Vriesia Shiny has the need for additional fertilizer in the warm period of the year 3 times a month just before flowering. Experts advise the use of complex tools designed to fertilize bromeliad flowering plants. For the reason that the roots of the plant do not take part in the nutritional process, diluted substances for dressing are poured into a flower outlet or spraying the leaves. In winter, feeding is not carried out until the onset of spring.
Top-dressings have a great influence on the development of a flower if they are applied in moderation: the surplus, as a rule, leads to the cessation of the growth and death of the plant. Make sure that the composition of the selected fertilizer was the minimum amount of nitrogen, since its surplus has a detrimental effect on veriesia. Calcium she does not tolerate.
Learn more, how to feed indoor plants.
Plant transplant
Transplantation of vrieesia after purchase may harm the development of the flower, so the first movement of the plant is recommended a couple of years before flowering, in May-June (a period of intensive development and growth of the flower). The rule concerns young species, the transplantation of an adult plant is carried out no more than once every 3-5 years and only after the flower blossoms.
Transplanting is a stressful process for a plant because of its weak and susceptible root system. As practice shows, after carrying out this procedure, vriezia can completely stop development: for this reason, in the absence of an acute need, transplantation should not be carried out.
It is required only in some cases:
- The tightness and inability of the pot to withstand the load on the leafy part of the plant, as a result, its instability;
- active development and growth of the plant, rapid weight gain of the leaves;
- branch "kids" for the purpose of reproduction.
Video: Transplantation of spleenitis
Plant propagation
The procedure can be carried out in one of two ways.
Seed method
Disadvantages: it is difficult to get the seeds, their rare seed, the first flowering - after 5-10 years.
Algorithm:
- Processing seed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- The basis for sowing is shredded moss-sphagnum or sand-peat mixture.
- Sowing, shelter with polyethylene or glass, temperature regime + 24 ° C.
- The first sprouts after 10-20 days.
- Preparing for a picking to acclimatize: taking cover once a day for a few minutes during the week.
- Sampling after 3 months.
Vegetative method
In this case, flowering should be expected no earlier than 4-5 years, and plants can be transplanted as needed, but without fail only 12 months after the first planting.
Algorithm:
- Extraction of the plant along with the processes.
- Washing the root system in water. Cleaning it from the ground.
- Branch with the help of a knife "babies" with roots formed in the deciduous sinuses at the roots of the mother plant after flowering is complete, only when they reach more than half the height of the main flower. As the maternal flower dies, the processes, on the contrary, develop intensively.
- Powder cuts coal, drying shoots for 20 hours.
- Backfilling of drainage and soil into selected pots for children.
- Putting the roots of the shoots in the central parts of the vessels, powdering young plants with the rest of the soil.
- Shelter pots with "kids" garden film, maintaining the temperature not lower than + 27 ° C.
- Infrequent airing throughout a month.
- Removing the film and moving the pots to the windowsills.
How is the flowering period?
The flowering period of vriezii Splenriet is February-April or May-July. The plant produces a flower stalk, on which flowers are tiled. Favorable temperature conditions for the flowering of Vriesia are + 25 ... + 27 ° C, and the level of air humidity is no less than 60%. As a rule, it blooms once in all its existence, in a short time the flowers wither, dry out and fall.
The bract can also be pleasing to the eye with a rich bright red, orange or yellow tone for a long time (several months). As drying is subject to pruning. At the end of the flowering of Vriesia, the peduncle is cut, and watering is stopped in the leafy funnel, the plant itself can be removed, since it will not give repeated flowers. Only this should be done after the appearance of sufficiently strong "children."
Did you know? A special bright stipule (eventually dull and drying) contributed to the fact that the flower began to be called the Sword of Flaming or Fiery, as well as a brilliant Sword.
Possible growing problems
Diseases affecting vriezii are standard for all members of the bromeliad family. Decreased immune system performance can be triggered by inappropriate care, for example:
- an excess of moisture contributes to the appearance of spots on the leaves, their lethargy, as well as a change in the smell of the soil;
- with supercooling, excessive moisture or dryness of the atmosphere, the growth and development of the flower stops, deforms (collapses, dries out) and leaves grow dim;
- blanching inflorescences may be caused by a lack of lighting;
- An excess of liquid in the outlet, as well as the substrate, stagnation of water in the pan and low temperature conditions unacceptable for the plant contribute to rotting of the peduncle;
- stiffness or other water characteristics unacceptable for comfortable cultivation of vriezii can cause dryness and the acquisition of chestnut tint by the edges of foliage;
- sunburn of the plant causes the appearance of spots on the leaves with a dried surface of a light brown shade;
- lack of ventilation of the room can cause fungus and blackening of the leaves.
Common causes of the lack of flowering spleen is:
- low atmospheric temperature;
- negative impact of drafts;
- lack of lighting and moisture.
The first sign of a disease or an attack on a flower of pests is its unhealthy appearance.
Did you know? У вриезии отсутствуют традиционные корни, взамен у неё есть удерживающие ростки, служащие лишь для того, чтобы сформировать растению опору, прикрепившись к чему-то.
Распространённые насекомые:
- Щитовки бромелиевая и чёрная. Signs: a peculiar spotted “shield” of wax on the leaves. Treatment: Mechanically eliminate insects that feed on plant sap and form plaques on leaves, and also remove their larvae from the underside of leaves with a soft cloth, previously moistened with soap or alcohol solution (15 g / ml of solid / liquid soap per 1 liter). water or 1-2 tablespoons of alcohol for the same amount of water). If the above procedure does not bring benefits, or the number of insects is too large, it is necessary to carry out medical treatment with drugs (Karbofos, Fitoverm, Fufa-Nova or Actellic) diluted 15-20 drops in 1 liter of water . The procedure can be done every 3-4 days.
- Mealybug Signs: cottony wax coating, sugary discharge, black fungus. Treatment: The damaged parts of the plant must be wiped with a soap or alcohol solution. When a significant lesion is used, the drug "Karbofos" or "Aktar" according to the dosage specified by the manufacturer.
- Redheads One of the most dangerous pests of bromeliads, which, due to the overmoistening of the soil, makes laying at the base of the roots, which causes them to rot. Treatment: The first necessary action is to reduce the amount of water for irrigation, the second is to treat the solution of insecticides Fazalona (3%) or Karbofos. If the infection has occurred in excessive volume, the plant must be destroyed.
- Spider red mite. It affects the flower if the required degree of moisture is not maintained indoors. It looks like enveloping the leaves with thin threads of the web, further blanching of the foliage, spotting, then transparency. For the purpose of struggle, a soap solution is used, the preparations "Zolon", "Phosbecid" or "Decis".
Leaf spot - a dangerous fungal disease affecting the leaf plates of the plant. Manifested in the form of small blisters, which after some time are converted into black stripes.
Treatment:
- revision of the irrigation regime;
- removal of affected parts of the flower;
- treatment of plants with chemical antifungal agents.
Slightly capricious in the care and, compared to other indoor flowers, requiring considerable effort when growing it in the conditions of the room, but very beautiful Vriese Splenriet is an ornamental plant, which, with proper observance of the above actions, will decorate the interior, a highlight of home comfort that pleases the eye. In addition, vriezii perfectly copes with cleaning and moistening the air.
