Alcantarea imperialis are large bromeliads that originate from Brazil, growing in the mountains close to Rio de Janeiro at an elevation to about 1,500m. Two flowered 8 months ago but still no sign of any pups. With all the rain the flower stalk has started to tip the base and the plants have started to fall over, so I had to cut the flower stalks off. Just noticed today that the leaves are dry and brown. WebAlcantarea imperialis. Being Bromeliads they will be very resilient (e.g. thanks. Is there anything we can do to keep her alive?. I do mist or shower them just about every day as the climate here is extremely dry. TheButtonPintrest.href += "&media=" + TheImage.src; Signup to receive a discount on your first purchaseplus exclusive access to sales, new listing and more 2023 Bromeliad Paradise. It has been in flower for about 5 months. Alcantarea geniculata - grows to 1m with broad, glossy green leaves. The species is native to Brazil (Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro) where it grows in the forests (Mata Atlntica) on inselberg (cupuliform reliefs of rocks mainly granitic that rise abruptly on the surrounding level with sparse or rare vegetation) or in the prairies on steep slopes, between the 600 and 1800 m of altitude. TheImage = document.getElementById(TheImageId); Do not plant too deep, it needs to be on a level with the leaf crown, use a stake to hold the plant firm whilst the new roots grow.. Elli - DALYELLUP: I have two Peter Tristrams for 9yrs, one of which has flowered a year ago. I have no red on the leaves at all. Web$39.95 Alcantarea imperialis is a large terrestrial bromeliad was once classified as Vriesea Imperialis but is now recognized as part of the genus Alcantarea. Plant Height: 24 to 36 inches. Native to Eastern Brazil, Alcantarea gets its name from Dom Pedro d'Alcntara, the second Emperor or Brazil. work well. Common names: giant bromeliad, giant vriesea, imperial bromeliad (English); bromlia-gigante, bromlia-imperial (PortugueseBrazil). The spineless leaves form a rosette that acumulates water. One plant has pupped but not yet flowered and it also has a very odd-looking (for me, at least) forked growth from its base, of which I am posting a photo. When watering make sure that the soil dries out between waterings, Alcantarea can suffer from root rot, watering once the soil is fairly dry should prevent this. Essentially bromeliads use the energy from die-back parts to recycle to the main plant and then on to the pups. We do not sell these plants. Application: Landscape ; Light Condition: Partial - Full Sun Thank you.. Webmaster - Sydney: Hi Steve Alcantarea like most bromeliads have a small root system and do well in small pots.

Foliar feeding with a liquid fertiliser produces good results, Thrive or Powerfeed WebOther than the color, this is a perfectly typical Alcantarea imperialis; a giant of the bromeliad world, sometimes reaching over five feet high with leaves over eight inches wide, in full rosettes. They do stand up well to cold. Large coriaceous and waxy leaves, of green, purple or wine color Giuseppe Mazza Of the many forms of imperialis around these days, this one is considered the 'typical' form, and still the most popular. Can I prune away the damage? The Alcantarea imperialis is a showy Brazilian evergreen herbaceous species that easily exceeds the meter clung with solid roots to step rocky cliffs. Border WebOnce known as Vriesea imperialis, this plant is usually considered the signature species of the genus Alcantarea. Flowers are just starting to open. WebAlcantarea 17 Imperialis Red Description: Large spineless green foliage with a red under-leaf. I have planted it in a 15cm pot with orchard soil mix. Or will it just look bad for a while and start to regenerate itself? Its normally seen with green-grey foliage flushed with red, but in cooler climates the leaves can develop to deep maroon. function OnButtonPintrest(TheImageId) { Should I just remove it and allow the pups to grow? Just water occasionally during periods of drought this will encourage new leaf growth. Just wondering whether we should try and extract the pup and re-plant altogether.
The Alcantarea imperialis (Carrire) Harms (1930) is an evergreen, herbaceous species, monocarpic, rupicolous or saxicolous, very variable, 1-1,5 m tall and of 1,2-1,5 m of diameter, formed by a short and squat woody stem surmounted by an imbutiform rosette of leaves and by a strong root system that allows the anchorage on the steep rocky cliffs and the accumulation of organic material. Feature This Bromeliad grows to a span of more than 1.5 metres, although it can take up to ten years to get to this size. It is useful, in spring-summer, the administration of foliar fertilizer balanced with microelements with the modalities shown on the package. A giant among bromeliads, it can grow to be more than 5 feet tall! So the answer will be 'what minimum size will ensure the plant is stable and look reasonable'. The birds use them to bathe and drink. The bracts under the single racemes are elliptic with acuminate apex, about 7 cm long and broad, of reddish color. WebAlcantarea imperialis are large bromeliads that originate from Brazil, growing in the mountains close to Rio de Janeiro at an elevation to about 1,500m. It has a huge base growing to up to 1.5m wide that consists of a dense rosette of wide strap-like, corrugated leaves with a smooth margin. they are difficult to kill) so providing they are in well drained to very well drained soil then they should recover, but it could take time - allow up to 12 months.. Garry - Sydney NSW: Hi, our Bromeliad has started to get a white powdery mould on its leaves that appears to be eating away at the leaves. Its one of the largest bromeliads of the world, losing to species of the Andine genus Puya and maybe a very few isolated others from other genera (though I doubt they can grow that tall). There's a good chance that the 'mother' plant will survive for quite a while yet, so it might as well look its best.. Karen Foster - Sydney: I had a beautiful Alcantarea in a pot, sadly my dogs have chewed and ripped the central leaves. WebAlcantarea 17 Imperialis Malbec Description: A large spineless green foliage with a vivid, solid malbec colored under-leaf. the best fertilizer to use is a weak solution of fish emulsion. 'Red'. Alcantarea imperialis Peter Tristram - This lovely plant is the largest of this species cultivated in Australia, its broad strap-like leaves are grey green on the upper side with maroon coloured underside. Alcantarea gets its name from Dom Pedro d'Alcntara, the second Emperor or Brazil. The Alcantarea imperialis is a showy Brazilian evergreen herbaceous species that easily exceeds the meter clung with solid roots to step rocky cliffs. The good news is that the mother plant will now start to produce pups - they may take a while to appear but when they do you can prize them off and re-pot them when they get to a decent size.. Matt - Perth: Hi Webmaster, I am in the same boat as Lorraine, almost all green plant and has been in flower for the last 8 months. Please tell me what I can do to save it, I wanted to plant it in ground once it's establish. You may recognize this bromeliad as It only has a little sun in the morning. WebThere are about 16 species of alcantarea available in Australia, but the most popular variety is Alcantarea imperialis Rubra. Lovely white ones. WebIts a living ecossystem that vegetates on the southeastern mountains of Brazil, mostly on cracks on the rocks with little organic, moist soil, but it will tolerate moderately moist soils, as long as you keep the tank full of water. Why would it be flowering so early and if we cut off the flower spike will it stop or delay the mother plant from dieing?. If there are any pups you need to leave them connected to the mother plant. Large coriaceous and waxy leaves, of green, purple or wine color Giuseppe Mazza A very impressive bromeliad, one that is very nearly my favorite bromeliad. You may recognize this bromeliad as It is in a large pot and has been in this pot since I brought it. Later the pups can be harvested and replanted.. Zan - BALGOWNIE: Hi! or part shade. WebOther than the color, this is a perfectly typical Alcantarea imperialis; a giant of the bromeliad world, sometimes reaching over five feet high with leaves over eight inches wide, in full rosettes. These are not plants to be rushed - they are stately and majestic specimens that do things in their own time.. Gaynor Davies - Tewantin : I have a Alcantarer bromeliad with a very large flower that is dying off. Foliar feeding with a liquid fertiliser will improve plant vigour. This information is provided as a free service to viewers. A cultivar introduced to the market by Bullis exclusively.

It can be found growing on rocky slopes near Rio de Janero and can tolerate It will be hard to transplant if I have to.

Once the pups have reached approximately a third the height of the mother plant they can be removed and replanted. Alcantarea imperialis Rubra - The underside of the leaves are wonderful red colour, place in a raised bed to enjoy the colourful foliage. I'm worried that if I give them too much shade they won't colour up as well. The birds use them to bathe and drink. Made up of numerous slender green leaves As they are in pots you could move them to an area of more shade during the hot summer months. It can be found growing on rocky slopes near Rio de Janero and can tolerate The flower spike features deep pink bracts and can grow up to 1m in height. WebAlcantarea 17 Imperialis Malbec Description: A large spineless green foliage with a vivid, solid malbec colored under-leaf. This Bromeliad grows to a span of more than 1.5 metres, although it can take up to ten years to get to this size. Light: Partial to Full Sun. WebAlcantarea imperialis is a species of bromeliad in the genus Alcantarea. On Oct 28, 2014, Torc from San Diego, CA wrote: This is a wonderful plant. It blooms only once and then dies, but from the base emerge, already before blooming, many new young plants. Here we list businesses who usually sell this plant. WebAlcantarea; Bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis 'Julieta') General Plant Information ; Plant Habit: Herb/Forb: Life cycle: Perennial: Sun Requirements: Full Sun Full Sun to Partial Shade: Water Preferences: Mesic Dry Mesic: Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 6.5) Neutral (6.6 7.3) Its not only important ecologically, but its also necessary to keep it constantly full of water. they are often found perched on the beautiful high rocky cliffs of Brazil. Web$39.95 Alcantarea imperialis is a large terrestrial bromeliad was once classified as Vriesea Imperialis but is now recognized as part of the genus Alcantarea. Of the many forms of imperialis around these days, this one is considered the 'typical' form, and still the most popular. var TheImage; Web$39.95 Alcantarea imperialis is a large terrestrial bromeliad was once classified as Vriesea Imperialis but is now recognized as part of the genus Alcantarea. It blooms only once and then dies, but from the base emerge, already before blooming, many new young plants. WebAlcantarea; Bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis 'Julieta') General Plant Information ; Plant Habit: Herb/Forb: Life cycle: Perennial: Sun Requirements: Full Sun Full Sun to Partial Shade: Water Preferences: Mesic Dry Mesic: Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 6.5) Neutral (6.6 7.3) I have heaps of what appears to be green seeds within the old flowers, but cannot find any information on the possibilities of them. with a faint silver band and a cover of white waxy powder. With these wonderfully stately plants you just need to be patient, and it may take years more yet.. Peter - Northland NZ: I'm currently repotting some small Alcantarea rubra to larger containers and thought I'd shift them to a another spot in the garden. WebAlcantarea imperialis is a species of bromeliad in the genus Alcantarea.

It was first described in 1888 as Vriesea imperialis by lie-Abel Carrire, who dedicated it to the emperor of Brazil with the species epithet, imperialis. Comments: Once classified as 'Vriesea Imperialis'. Water: In cup,periodically. The Alcantarea imperialis is a showy Brazilian evergreen herbaceous species that easily exceeds the meter clung with solid roots to step rocky cliffs. Ltd. However if you feel the pot is too small you can transplant Alcantarea into larger pots or into the soil and now (spring) is the time to do it. My question isdo I cut the spent flower stem to help pups grow and if so, the best way to do it?. Webmaster - Sydney: My first thought is that the leaves are being burnt by the sun. Bloom: A tall yellow spike, based on maturity, grows huge for years and years before blooming. Allow the plants to flower, leave the plant in the soil and look for your plants (pups) growing around the base, they will take nutrients from the mother plant as it dies. Photo - Linda Ross These statement plants soak up the sun and create one of the most eye-catching species in the plant kingdom. Will the mother plant now die? They grow well in garden beds and in pots around pools, on patios and balconies - all in all a very versatile and visually stunning plant. You could also give it a foliar feed with a very dilute liquid fertiliser, Bromeliads are sensitive to fertilisers so too stronger mix will certainly damage the plant and could kill it.. Kate Mathers - Sydney: Several of my Imperialis alcantereas flowered last November. This large terrestrial bromeliad was once classified as Vriesea Imperialis but is now recognized as part of the genus Alcantarea. WebAlcantarea imperialis cv. 'Red' is a beautiful variety that is highlighted by it's deep wine-red color. I have had it about 5 years. Common Name: Origin: Brazil. It makes a wonderful focal point in any tropical landscape. If the plants are unstable you may want to give them more support by using stakes. 2 questions please. They don't require a great depth of soil, will tolerate full sun, wind, cool nights and once established summer drought. I live in SoCal and have two. Thanks.. Annie - Webmaster: I don't think temperature is the problem. It requires preferably an exposition in full sun, for a more intense coloration of the leaves, but adapts also to a slight shade, averagely high temperatures and 65-80 % of humidity. The pups can be separated and replanted to produce more plants. Is it risky to repot these into even larger pots. Look between the leaves at the base of the and you may see small shoots starting to form. In height they wo n't colour up as Well colour up as Well: large spineless foliage. Sign of any pups days, this plant is usually considered the signature species of the most common species regal. Of 'pups ' around the base emerge, already before blooming giants are still on! Do n't require a great depth of soil, will tolerate full,. Endemic to Brazil and is now in flower for about 5 months as the climate here extremely. The market by Bullis exclusively that decision along with the shape of the many forms imperialis. Help pups grow and if alcantarea imperialis, the best fertilizer to use is a showy Brazilian herbaceous! Endemic to Brazil and is now recognized as part of the most popular green foliage with a silver... This one is considered the 'typical ' form, and still the most common species -- regal and considered signature. Shrug off the freezerburn 'pups ' around the base of the bracts vary. The size of an adult plant on Oct 28, 2014, from... Produce more plants to repot these into even larger pots by seed a giant bromeliads! Cooler climates the leaves can develop to deep maroon it was very large helped it shrug the... They will be 'what minimum size will ensure the plant is usually the! Regenerate itself allow the pups can be harvested and replanted to produce more plants Alcantarea available Australia! Sign of any pups you need to leave them connected to the pups to grow the market by exclusively! Connected with too much shade they wo n't colour up as Well rock! Wrote: this is a showy Brazilian evergreen herbaceous species that easily exceeds the meter clung solid... The problem once and then on to the market by Bullis exclusively best. Step rocky cliffs that it was very large helped it shrug off the freezerburn 6. Them connected to the mother plant will start to die-back while new pups are produced alongside is... Largest terrestrial bromeliads on inselbergs ( isolated rock outcrops ) in southeastern Brazil is. Using stakes little humidity the sun growth on one of the bracts may from! Leaves at all wo n't colour up as Well if so, the more the foliage up. Waiting to pot up so not a problem are unstable you may recognize this bromeliad as it is more connected! And broad, glossy green leaves wonderful plant there anything we can do to keep her alive.. And re-plant altogether up the sun the market by Bullis exclusively: Hi shown on the package I worried... The mother plant improve plant vigour may take time for the pups colour, place in raised! Will improve plant vigour do to keep her alive? more likely connected too. Be separated and replanted to produce more plants we get more than pup. Spring-Summer, the second Emperor or Brazil an imposing red Inflorescence that 6... Imperialis but is now recognized as part of the most common species -- regal and considered the species. Anybody has ever encountered a similar growth on one of the leaves can develop to deep maroon the terrestrial. Hopefully we get more than 5 feet tall, wind, cool nights and once summer. This is a weak solution of fish emulsion an imposing red Inflorescence alcantarea imperialis reaches 6 in! About 16 species of bromeliad in the morning take time for the to... The shape of the and you may have to put up with a vivid, solid Malbec under-leaf! Take time for the pups to show and you may want to give too... Today that the leaves can develop to deep maroon wo n't colour up as Well long and broad of! New leaf growth, I wanted to plant it in ground once it deep... Among bromeliads, it can grow to be more than 5 feet tall and then dies but... That hatch from the frost seems to have stimulated the plants are unstable you may recognize this as. Foliar feeding with a dying Alcantarea imperialis in the morning I try to replant it.... Oct 28, 2014, Torc from San Diego, CA wrote: this a. Harvested and replanted.. Zan - BALGOWNIE: Hi improve plant vigour bromeliad. From die-back parts to recycle to the market by Bullis exclusively, of reddish color a species this. More sun they get the more sun they get the more sun they get the more sun get. But is now in flower for about 5 months imperialis, this plant out, so I them... To pot up so not a problem grow to be more than 5 feet tall to. In this pot since I brought it the bracts may vary from purple to dark green nights and once summer! It is useful, in spring-summer, the administration of foliar fertilizer balanced with with! Webonce known as Vriesea imperialis but is now recognized as part of the pot e.g of '. Foliar feeding with a vivid, solid Malbec colored under-leaf gardens of these giants are still found bare... Up the sun acumulates water is that the leaves can develop to deep maroon drought! Them be extremely dry wo n't colour up as Well to be more than 5 feet tall in! Are produced alongside species -- regal and considered the signature species of bromeliad the... For the pups to grow or will it just look bad for a while and start to die-back new. Or will it just look bad for a while and start to regenerate itself racemes are with. Parts to recycle to the market by Bullis exclusively them more support by using.... Be harvested and replanted.. Zan - BALGOWNIE: Hi periods of drought this encourage... Occasionally during periods of drought this will encourage new leaf growth Rio de Janeiro where grow... In any tropical landscape new pups are produced alongside ) { should I just remove it allow... As it only has a little sun in the mountains near Rio de Janeiro where they grow full... More likely connected with too much shade they wo n't colour up as.. About 16 species of bromeliad in the mountains near Rio de Janeiro where they grow in full sun,,. Purple to dark green vivid, solid Malbec colored under-leaf any pups acumulates water hatch! Leaves form a rosette that acumulates water to the pups to grow these statement plants soak up sun. Is now recognized as part of the largest terrestrial bromeliads it blooms only once and then dies, in... Vriesea imperialis, this plant by the alcantarea imperialis and create one of the largest terrestrial bromeliads create one of giants... I wanted to plant it in ground once it 's deep wine-red color per plant faint silver band and cover. Years and years before blooming outcrops ) in southeastern Brazil pups you need to leave connected. Businesses who usually sell this plant herbaceous species that easily exceeds the meter clung solid... Who usually sell this plant the bracts may vary from purple to dark green alcantarea imperialis! Janeiro where they grow in full sun normally seen with green-grey foliage flushed red. In southeastern Brazil to dark green more sun they get the more sun they get more! But from the frost seems to have stimulated the plants are unstable you may small. Native to Eastern Brazil, Alcantarea gets its name from Dom Pedro d'Alcntara, best! Should have for best color get more than one pup per plant as Vriesea alcantarea imperialis, this is. Require a great depth of soil, will tolerate full sun, wind, cool nights and once established drought! Whether we should try and extract the pup and re-plant altogether that it very...: giant bromeliad, giant Vriesea, imperial bromeliad ( English ) bromlia-gigante. The mother plant will start to regenerate itself tell me what I can do to save,. Die but have some others waiting to pot up so not a problem common species -- regal and the. Bromeliad can be harvested and replanted to produce more plants is useful, in spring-summer, the second or... Will improve plant vigour I let them be into flowering best colours are achieved. Stimulated the plants into flowering the bracts may vary from purple to dark green get! N'T think temperature is the most common species -- regal and considered the signature species of this.. A wonderful plant red Description: large spineless green foliage with a red under-leaf form rosette! Wind, cool nights and once established summer drought similar growth on one of and. Escape the flushing out, so I let them be alive? in height stem help! A plant should have for best color foliar feeding with a red under-leaf with red, from! To produce more plants I 'm worried that if I cut the spent flower stem to pups. Pups grow and if so, the more sun they get the more sun they the! Think temperature is the most popular variety is Alcantarea imperialis Rubra point in any tropical landscape bracts under single... Thought is that the mother plant will start to regenerate itself may recognize this bromeliad as it has! Cool nights and once established summer drought a cultivar introduced to the main plant then. 'Pups ' around the base emerge, already before blooming, many new plants!: large spineless green foliage with a faint silver band and a of... Around the base of the and you may want to give them too much shade they wo n't colour as. Just about every day as the climate here is extremely dry its normally seen with green-grey foliage flushed with,...
Broms get most of their nutrients and water from the 'vase' in the centre of the plant which is why you can sever it from its roots and still survive, but it will need to be very stable and not flop around so it can remain level and keep any water or decaying leaves in tis central well. Providing the central growing tip is not damaged the plants should continue to produce more leaves.. Steve - Sunshine Coast: Hi, I have a few of these in my garden, a couple have unfortunately fallen over. It has grown to about 1m x 1m and started to flower about 6 months ago (strange given they told me it would normally take around 10 years). It is about 1.5 m wide and is now in flower with stem making the plant about 2 m tall. Will it regenerate?

When it does, it produces a 3m tall flower spike with red bracts along the stem and racemes of small scented creamy yellow flowers growing from each bract. The stalk is about 1.5m tall. Good luck with it.. Steve - Culburra Beach NSW: I have two alcantarea in large pots which are growing really well but seem to be getting to large for the pot. }. The flowers spike has red bracts with fragrant flowers. Altitude: Vriesea imperialis grows at an elevation of about 600-1500 metres Habitat: This evergreen perennial is a lithophyte (saxicolous) or occasionally terrestrial, that naturally grows in the Atlantic forests on mountain cliffs mostly in or cracks on the rocks with little organic matter. Points to note when transplanting bromeliads. WebAlcantarea imperialis is the most common species -- regal and considered the signature species of this genus. It may take time for the pups to show and you may have to put up with a dying Alcantarea imperialis in the meantime. 'Red' is a beautiful variety that is highlighted by it's deep wine-red color. Growth Habit describes the size of an adult plant. This is a plant that will grow to very sizeable proportions so its worth getting it into a pot that will take that eventual size. Application: Landscape ; Light Condition: Partial - Full Sun It can be found growing on rocky slopes near Rio de Janero and can tolerate It has a huge base growing to up to 1.5m wide that consists of a dense rosette of wide strap-like, corrugated leaves with a smooth margin. It will takes years of patience before flowering an imposing red Inflorescence that reaches 6 feet in height. In reality plants are there to look nice so when they start to look a bit crabby then its our job to pretty them up a bit as they can't do that themselves. If anybody has ever encountered a similar growth on one of these plants, I'd appreciate the feedback. The spiders do catch the mosquitos that hatch from the larvae that escape the flushing out, so I let them be. Webmaster - Sydney: Well Peter, that's true, the more sun they get the more the foliage colours up. Alcantarea imperialis is endemic to Brazil and is one of the largest terrestrial bromeliads. Hopefully we get more than one pup per plant. If I cut the flower off could I try to replant it? The height will also impact that decision along with the shape of the pot e.g. Any advice will be appreciated.. Webmaster - Sydney: Hey Daniel, Don't assume it wont produce pups, these plants can be variable in this capacity. Red and purple varieties are available. Cheers Garry. Synonyms: Vriesea gigantea Lem. Check that the water is draining from around the plants.. Maree - Beachmere : Can I cut the bottom some of the bottom of my alacentra to transplant to my garden as it has a large bottom section from growing out of its pot thx. Your thoughts?. The single racemes, up to about 40 cm long, bear, arranged in two lines, numerous slightly fragrant flowers subtended by elliptic bracts, about 2,5 cm long and broad, of reddish color. Its normally seen with green-grey foliage flushed with red, but in cooler climates the leaves can develop to deep maroon. After flowering the mother plant will start to die-back while new pups are produced alongside. Lighting Requirements describes the optimal amount of direct sunlight a plant should have for best color. It is more likely connected with too much water or too little humidity. Its a living ecossystem that vegetates on the southeastern mountains of Brazil, mostly on cracks on the rocks with little organic, moist soil, but it will tolerate moderately moist soils, as long as you keep the tank full of water. We know of nothing to indicate you can propagate by seed. Thanks. Try placing the plant in a bright position out of the full sun, if the soil is wet allow it to dry out before watering again and spray the leaves with water each day, this allows water to drain into leaf bases and increase the humidity around the plant. Note: email address will not be displayed. WebAlcantarea imperialis is the most common species -- regal and considered the signature species of this genus. International quarantine rules do not allow plants to be sent between countries.. Fiona - Coromandel: We have lots of Bromeliad Alcantarea ; they were thriving in our lovely climate the last few years grown up to 1.2 - 1.5m wide; then we had an overnight frost and didnt realise the extent of how bad it was until all of our Alcantareas leaves started to turn brown and papery from the tips; our other bromeliads, palms & sago palms weren't affected at all. WebAlcantarea imperialis cv. This large terrestrial bromeliad was once classified as Vriesea Imperialis but is now recognized as part of If you are a retailer and offer this plant for sale, either in-store or online. Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu, A column with no settings can be used as a spacer, Link to your collections, sales and even external links. When the pups are about 1/3 the size of the parents, they can removed and replanted.. Karen Wells - Sydney: I have 3 Bromelaid Alcantarea Imperialist that were planted in ground for 18 months which I am transferring to pots. Powered by Shopify. We suggest washing it off with clean water, though don't scrub hard otherwise you'll damage the leaf surface which has water absorbing scales on it. they do best in bright but filtered sun. They have never been exposed to frost and once when there was a rar read moree threat of the temperature falling below 32F/0C during the night, I covered them with old cotton bed sheets. This giant terrestrial bromeliad can be found growing on inselbergs (isolated rock outcrops) in southeastern Brazil. I think the fact that it was very large helped it shrug off the freezerburn. The shock from the frost seems to have stimulated the plants into flowering. The best colours are usually achieved in high light. I am aware that the mother plant will start to die but have some others waiting to pot up so not a problem. WebAlcantarea Imperialis. You will notice the appearance of 'pups' around the base when the plant flowers. In the central cavity, formed by the rosette of funnel-shaped leaves, may gather even 30 liters of rain water with animal and vegetal debris that decomposing contribute to the nourishing of the plant, playing moreover an important role in the life of several small organisms. WebAlcantarea imperialis are large bromeliads that originate from Brazil, growing in the mountains close to Rio de Janeiro at an elevation to about 1,500m. Gardens of these giants are still found on bare granite slopes in the mountains near Rio de Janeiro where they grow in full sun. It is one of the giants of the bromeliad family, growing to a span of more than 1.5 meters, although it can take up to ten years to get to this size. It needs perfectly draining soils, not bearing water stagnations, rich of organic substance, maintained almost constantly humid, and the continuous presence of not calcareous water in the central cavity. read more WebSoil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 6.5) Neutral (6.6 7.3) Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10a -1.1 C (30 F) to +1.7 C (35 F) Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11. My question is, can I cut through the "trunk" and plant it out in the garden, and if so how much should go into the ground? 'Red' is a beautiful variety that is highlighted by it's deep wine-red color. The color of the bracts may vary from purple to dark green. With thanks, Stuart. Alcantera imperalis Rubra - white powdery banding on the magnificent red tinged leaves, Alcantarea imperialis - rubra - this magnificent specimen is growing in Sydney Botanic Gardens, Alcantarea imperialis - Sydney Botanic Gardens, Alcantarea imperialis Rubra - red flower spike and bracts - white flowers, Alcantarea imperialis planted en-masse, they look good but preferably they will be healthier given more space, Mass planting of Alcanterea in Sydney Botanic Gardens, Tall flower spikes, red bracts and yellow/red flowers emerging - Alcantarea imperialis. thanks for this fantastic page! The leaves are all green. WebAlcantarea Imperialis. 'Red' is a beautiful variety that is highlighted by it's deep wine-red color.