Bromeliad 'Alcantarea odorata' 'silver clone'

Alcantarea odorata 'Silver clone’ is a large bromeliad, crossbred with various wild bromeliad species. The rosette of this species could grow to one meter in diameter when mature. Without inflorescence, this plant reaches one to one and a half meters in height depending on the level of light this species receives. The leaves of this plant are mint green to gray. Due to the shape and positioning of the leaves, this plant could contain more than 40 liters of water. This species is considered as one of the largest species of bromeliad within the pineapple family. After many years, this plant is able to produce an inflorescence of more than two meters high. The inflorescence is like the leaves mint green, where the flowers are bright yellow. After flowering, the mother plant dies. Propagation is done by detaching pups that form at the base of the plant.

Alcantarea odorata 'Silver clone’ prefers a warm and relatively humid environment. This species is able to tolerate colder conditions down to 12 degrees Celsius, but frost should be avoided. Place this plant in bright light conditions, only avoiding direct harsh sunlight in the middle of summer. Use an excellent draining and coarse medium and make sure that the plant is not potted too deep. Water this plant directly in the rosette so that water always stays between the leaves. The root system functions only as anchorage as the leaves absorb water and nutrients. Provide this plant with subscribed orchid fertilizer in spring and summer.