Category Archives: Bromeliads

Posts about Bromeliads, a fine selection of bromeliads that are never available through garden centres in Europe

Aechmea blumenavii in the Garden

aechmea-blumenavii-canarius Canarius | Wednesday September 28th, 2016 |
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buy-online-aechmea-blumenaviiBeautiful Aechmea from the outskirts of a city named Blumenau, in the cool, wet South East of Brazil. Aechmea blumenavii is a rare, cold hardy bromeliad. It is endemic to Sierra de Santa Catarina, by the city of Blumenau in SE Brazil.

Aechmea blumenavii is an endangered species and it is classified as Rare by the IUCN. This is the TRUE blumenavii, not the many mislabelled specimens in the trade. That’s why it is a rare endangered species in habitat. It is a tropical looking species which is highly sought after for gardening in non tropical countries because it is able to stand freezes to about -8 C.

 

flower-aechmea-blumenaviiAechmea blumenavii in the Garden

Aechmea blumenavii is very easy to grow in cultivation. Leaves are green and show the typical blue tip. Spikes of yellow flowers are produced in the cooler months, followed by pink-red fruits. Fruits will stay colourful for months.

As time passes it grows as a mat-forming ground cover.  As a bromeliad, it will need a draining substrate, with sand, compost or similar. It will enjoy growing on a raised bed or a rockery. It can also be grown on trees or rocks.

It grows as a house plant because it takes shade and dry air, so growers can take it indoors in the winter months to enjoy the flowers.

Frost-hardy Aechmea with blue-tipped green leaves, from the outskirts of a city named Blumenau

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Our Shop

Please visit the Bromeliad Section of our Shop and check back often, because we offerent different bromeliads at different times of the year. We ship bromeliads to anywhere in Europe. Our bromeliads are already growing in many European countries, such as Spain, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Germany.

All bromeliads in catalogue are sold as bare-rooted “pups”, which are the robust basal suckers produced after blooming. Our pups are very easy to root – some will already show some roots when you open the box.

Bromeliads according to their type of flower

Bromeliads Canarius | Monday June 13th, 2016 |
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Bromeliaceae or Bromeliads are a family of monocot plants consisting of shrubs or perennial, terrestrial or epiphytic grasses.

Bromeliads have rosette leaves, flowers and colourful and showy bracts, as well as the typically twisted stigmas. A typology that differentiates, precisely, due to the type of flower that’s born and its particular shape. In this case we will talk about the Billbergia, Aechmea and Neoregelia genera.

Billbergia

Billbergia

The genus Billbergia, belongs to the large family of Bromeliads and particularly includes many epiphytic species, growing over any other plant without parasitising it. Although there are also some terrestrial species.

The Billbergia bromeliad is known for its intense green, elongated, strong leaves, bearing numerous very small thorns, placed along its margins.

The leaves are arranged forming a central cup, collecting rain water used by the plant as a water reserve and where flora and, often abundant, fauna will accumulate: plant and animal remains that are partly digested with decomposition.

The flowers are held on long rigid or twisted stems, protected by bracts of various colours depending on the species and variety, commonly attached in hanging clusters. Even without a long life they’re splendid.

Aechmea 

Aechmea

The genus Aechmea, also belongs to the Bromeliad family. However, this species has a reduced root system, absorbing the water needed for its development through the foliage.

The particularity of its leaves is arranged so that the water is channeled inside a central cup caused by widening of the leaves in which rainwater is collected in nature.

Spike inflorescence emerges from the central part of the cup, where there are numerous flowers surrounded diffusely by rigid coloured bracts (pink, yellow, red or orange) and long lasting.

Neoregelia

Neoregelia

In reference to the bromeliad family, we also find the so-called genus Neoregelia. It’s a species that doesn’t reach considerable size, as it doesn’t exceed 30-40 cm in height; the leaves can reach a width of 60 cm and a length of 40 cm.

The particularity of the Neoregelia is the rosette arrangement of the extending leaves in the central part forming a type of cup in which rainwater is collected in nature. A cavity in which there is a water reserve, where flora and fauna accumulate, often abundant.

Also, inflorescense emerges from the centre of the rosette, typical for its coloured bracts, from which usually white or blue flowers sprout, attached in rounded inflorescences which develop in the centre of the cup.

Our chameleon-like bromeliad: Aechmea blanchetiana

Canarius | Friday December 18th, 2015 |
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aechmea-blanchetiana-bromeliad

Crop of pups of Aechmea blanchettiana, ready for shipping.

Crop of pups of Aechmea blanchettiana, ready for shipping.

Aechmea blanchetiana is a botanical species of the bromeliad family, originating in Brazil, from Bahia to Espirito Santo. It is a typical element of the vegetation that grows along the coasts, referred to as “restingas”, whose soils are generally poor and sandy.

This is one of the most popular bromeliads used for landscaping in tropical and subtropical countries. It can withstand powerful solar radiation, low availability of water and salty sea air. It is a plant that also endures shaded spaces, but the leaves turn green and rather soft and flaccid, therefore losing part of its beauty.

This large bromeliad is often used outdoors in full sun.

The genus name derives from the Greek “aichme” (spearhead) and the species is named after its discoverer, Jacques S. Blanchet. Currently,  Aechmea blanchetiana is widely used as an ornamental plant.

It is a large evergreen herbaceous plant that has a rosette with abundant leaves,  that turn bright orange when exposed to sunlight. Aechmeas are “tank-type bromeliad”, so leaves are arranged as a funnel and they form a central cavity, usually filled with water. Leaves are stiff, with soft spines at the apex and on the margins. Curiously, we could highlight that each rosette of Aechmea blanchetiana blooms only once  and then dies, but this process takes about two years and new “pups” are produced at the base of the mother plant. The blooming season starts in mid summer and the colourful branches last until the end of the year or even more, until they start bearing fruits. These  are small globose berries containing elliptical seeds about 1-2 mm long. It can be reproduced, not only by seed, but also vegetatively through the new “pups” that are born at the base and can be separated when they have reached a size of at least one third of the mother plant.

Frog inside an Aechmea blanchetiana

Frog inside an Aechmea blanchetiana

Currently, in the nursery of Canarius, we have lots of Aechmea blanchetiana, available in younger or adult sizes.

Furthermore, we also offer a large selection of bromeliads which are hard to find in European collections and gardens. Above all, thanks to the adaptation of these species to both the cold and dry heat of the Canary Islands (Spain), most of them can be grown outdoors in coastal mediterranean climates.

Aechmea triangularis survives to -6 C (21 F) and blooms

Canarius | Monday February 14th, 2011 |
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Aechmea triangularis grows very well in mediterranean climate and warm temperate climates. It is an attractive bromeliad with golden-green leaves and brow-black spines. It produces a long lasting inflorescence in late spring, with red bracts and blue flowers. Before blooming, tips of leaves fold back forming a triangle, enhanced by dark red markings. Grow it in bright sun conditions, with little or no fertilizer, to achieve more compact and colurful plants.

Charlie Dill’s picture of Aechmea triangularis, blooming after a freeze

Aechmea triangularis can take low temperatures with little or no damage at -6 C (18 F) for several hours. About its cold tolerance, there is an interesting report written by Charlie Dill about different bromeliads surviving to -6 C (21 F) in California has texts and pictures of this species.

LINK TO CHARLIE DILL’S FROST DAMAGE REPORT OF AECHMEA TRIANGULARIS AND OTHER BROMELIADS

Charlie Dill’s picture of an unscathed Aechmea triangularis

Our Shop

Please visit the Bromeliad Section of our Shop and check back often, because we offerent different bromeliads at different times of the year. We ship bromeliads to anywhere in Europe. Our bromeliads are already growing in many European countries, such as Spain, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Germany. All bromeliads in catalogue are sold as bare-rooted “pups”, which are the robust basal suckers produced after blooming. Our pups are very easy to root – some will already show some roots when you open the box.

Aechmea triangularis with dark leaf tips before blooming

Aechmea triangularis with dark leaf tips before blooming

Hardy Bromeliads for Outdoor Conditions

Canarius | Tuesday October 19th, 2010 |
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Bromeliads, or Bromeliaceae, are highly appreciated plants because of their incredible colours and inflorescences, and their ease of growth in pots.

  • Garden Centers througout the world sell floppy-leaved hybrids with green leaves.
  • Canarius on the internet offers tough-leaved species with colourful leaves, grown in the Canary Islands.

Neoregelia chlorosticta blooming with yellow and red leaves

Floppy leaved, green bromeliads

  • Taxonomy: These plants often belong to the genera Guzmania and Vriesea
  • Conditions: They come from humid forest environments. They grow well in low light, sheltered conditions. They are sensitive to wind, drought, sunlight and temperature shocks. They are good for the terrarium.
  • Where: in the greenhouse, terrarium, sheltered patio.

Tough-leaved, colourful bromeliads

  • Taxonomy: Most of them belong to the genera Aechmea, Billbergia and Neoregelia.
  • Conditions: They grow well in non-tropical climates. They like temperature changes and can better stand outdoors conditions in general. They seldom burn in the hottest sun, they stand wind very well. Many of the tough-leaved Bromeliaceae are resistant to occasional frosts, without any damage. They will always tolerate drought for days or even weeks. Most of our species will thrive outdoors in mediterranean climates, with minimal protection.
  • Where: In the garden, sunny patio, balcony or terrace, being Subtropical and Mediterranean to Warm Temperate. They can be kept in your home during the colder months.

Aechmea lueddemanniana is a stiff-leaved bromeliaceae with long lasting flowes and fruits.

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Our Shop

Please visit the Bromeliad Section of our Shop and check back often, because we offerent different bromeliads at different times of the year. We ship bromeliads to anywhere in Europe. Our bromeliads are already growing in many European countries, such as Spain, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Germany. All bromeliads in catalogue are sold as bare-rooted “pups”, which are the robust basal suckers produced after blooming. Our pups are very easy to root – some will already show some roots when you open the box.

Aechmea triangularis with dark leaf tips before blooming

All bromeliads in catalogue are sold as bare-rooted “pups”, which are the robust basal suckers produced after blooming. Our pups are very easy to root – some will already show some roots when you open the box.

Aechmea blanchetiana in Europe – How to grow the large bromeliad of Modern Tropical Gardening.

Canarius | Monday September 20th, 2010 |
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Aechmea blanchetiana in Europe.

The inflorescence of Aechmea blanchetiana can reach 1,80 m in height.

The inflorescence of Aechmea blanchetiana can reach 1,80 m in height.

Aechmea blanchetiana is the ultimate large bromeliad for landscaping outdoors, reaching intense orange-yellow colour in full sun. Aechmea blanchetiana is native to the Atlantic coast of Brazil, where it grows both terrestrially, in coastal sand, or epiphytically, on the branches of tall forest trees.

Clumping large rosettes of wide and shiny leaves, producing a spectacular floral display which lasts for months. The heavily branched inflorescence appears in July and grows to 1,7 m (5 ft) tall, in red and yellow.

You can buy this spectacular plant at www.canarius.com, in the Bromeliad Section of our shop.

How to grow Aechmea blanchetiana?

  • It likes full sun and waterings every 2-4 days.
  • It needs very little root space and can grow in small pots or rockeries.
  • It takes frosts of about -3 to -4 C with little damage
  • It takes coastal conditions with some salt
  • It takes hard drought with little damage.
  • It adapts to semi-shade but leaves turn green, larger and floppier.
  • Keep fertilizer low. High nutrients will make the leaves turn green.

TIP: Larger plants become much more resistant to cold or drought. Leave the pups on the mother plants and you will get a large clump in 3-4 years.

Can I grow Aechmea blanchetiana in Europe?

Yes, this large bromeliad can be planted outdoors in coastal Mediterranean Climates. Adult plants are fully hardy to about -3 C (26 F). You will need to provide minimal protection during colder winters.
If you get harder frost or heavy hail, you can bring the plants indoors during the colder months. You can grow huge blanchetianas in very small pots because these bromeliads need very little root space. They will become green in lower light. Put them outdoors in full sun when the warm weather is back and wait until they turn golden again.

This large bromeliad is often used outdoors in full sun.

This large bromeliad is often used outdoors in full sun.

Why is Aechmea blanchetiana important in Modern Tropical Garden?

It was popularized by the famous German-Brazilian architect Roberto-Burle Marx, in Brazil, in the 60′s. He used large mass-plantings in his projects. After a while it jumped to the garden landscapes of Miami and California and then to the rest of the world.

How are the blanchetianas offered by from Canarius?

We offer large sized 30-40 cm (12-16 “) “pups” of Aechmea blanchetiana produced outdoors in the Canary Islands. Visit our shop at www.canarius.com we offer the right yellow-orange type. Some people call it Aechmea blanchetiana var. rubra but this name is not valid. This type is the true, typical Aechmea blanchetiana with intense orange-yellow colour in full sun.

You can also buy other large bromeliad species, like Aechmea callichroma, or Aechmea aquilega which are similar in size, shape and resistance with a different, pink or orange colour.

Crop of pups of Aechmea blanchettiana, ready for shipping.

Crop of pups of Aechmea blanchettiana, ready for shipping.

Aechmea blanchetiana – Video clip of the large bromeliad from Brazil.

Canarius | Saturday September 4th, 2010 |
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Aechmea blanchetiana is the ultimate large bromeliad for landscaping outdoors, reaching intense orange-yellow colour in full sun. Aechmea blanchetiana is native to the Atlantic coast of Brazil, where it grows both terrestrially, in coastal sand, or epiphytically, on the branches of tall forest trees. Clumping large rosettes of wide and shiny leaves, producing a spectacular floral display which lasts for months. The heavily branched inflorescence appears in July and grows to 1,7 m (5 ft) tall, in red and yellow.

You can buy this spectacular plant at www.canarius.com, in the Bromeliad Section of our shop.

This video posted on Youtube shows Aechmea blanchetiana, just like the ones we grow, showing different colours according to different light exposures.

Bromeliad Shop – From the Canary Islands to your home

Canarius | Friday June 11th, 2010 |
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Bromeliads, or Bromeliaceae, are highly appreciated plants because of their incredible colours and inflorescences, and their ease of growth in pots. Canarius.com  offers on the internet tough-leaved species with colourful leaves, grown in the Canary Islands. Our bromeliad nursery was expanded in 2012 so our offer is continuously growing with new products. We ship worldwide !

Neoregelia chlorosticta

Neoregelia chlorosticta is a colourful bromeliad


Our Selection of Bromeliads

Billbergia elegans

Delicate flowers of Billbergia

Our shop offers a fine selection of tough-leaved bromeliads that are never available through garden centres.

Most of them belong to the genera Aechmea, Billbergia and Neoregelia. In the Bromeliad Section of our Shop you can buy the most unusual bromeliads with the thickest and most colourful leaves, better adapted to hot and cold conditions of outdoor life. We also offer a selection of “classic” hybrids that have succeeded throughout the years.  Our species grow well in non-tropical climates. Here they are grown outdoors because they like temperature changes and stand outdoors conditions in general. Our bromeliads will better tolerate:

  • Hot direct sun
  • Wind
  • Occasional frosts
  • Drought for weeks

Different light intensities will give plants with different growth and different colours. We grow our plants outdoors, with little or no shade, in order to achieve robust growth and bright colours.

We ship bare rooted plants and “pups”

Aechmea nudicaulis - Bare-root pups

Bare-root pups of Aechmea nudicaulis, ready to be packed.

All bromeliads in catalogue are sold as large pups, which are the robust basal suckers produced after blooming. This type of cutting is the safest way to reproduce bromeliads, because all pups are identical to the mother plant with no unwanted crossings. Futhermore, pups are much stronger than seedlings.

We pre-root the pups for weeks so most of our “pups” will already show some roots when you open the box. Most of these plants are more than pups will reach flowering size in about one year.

In some cases, especially for larger species, pups will be collected shortly after you place the order. They will show few or no roots. Bromeliads can resist for weeks and months without any root because they rely on the water they keep in the leaves. They will quickly set new roots when put in a draining soil at warm temperatures.

Aechmea pectinata pups

Aechmea pectinata pups produced in the Canary Island

  • Large species give large pups: We select and ship to your home cuttings of 35-50 cm for large species such as  Aechmea blanchetiana, A. callichroma and Neoregelia joannis. Their weight is 300-600 grams. Pups of large species will often lack roots. The largest species are can take 2 – 3 years to reach maturity.
  • Small species give small pups. Plants like Neoregelia maculata, Aechmea gamosepala and Billbergia elegans can measure 18-30 cm and weight just 150-250 grams. Pups of small species will often have roots. They will probably bloom in one year or less.

If you want to see more pictures of the plants we sell, then visit THIS LINK and see our plants on the packing desk and learn more about what we ship.

Neoregelia burlemarxii

Neoregelia burlemarxii becomes purple during the blooming months

Our Shop

Please visit the Bromeliad Section of our Shop and check back often, because we offer different bromeliads at different times of the year. We ship plants to anywhere in Europe and soon to the rest of the world. Our bromeliads are already growing in most European countries. In 2013 we start shipping worldwide our products !

Aechmea blanchetiana grows

Aechmea blanchetiana grows in full sun and takes light frosts

BACK TO THE BROMELIAD SHOP

In the garden, sunny patio, balcony or terrace, being Subtropical and Mediterranean to Warm