Question
I bought my mom a Bromeliad for mothers day this year it is yellow with red tipped flower and the leaves are green and flat the flower is tall, how tall will it get and when can we expect to see pups? Also what is the best watering for this plant some say in the leave cups and some say the soil I don't want this plant to rot or die because my mom really loves it and she loves the bright color of the flower...Also how will we be able to tell that the flower is dying we know absolutely nothing about bromeliads at all so any tips will be helpful, thank you and May God Bless You....

Answer
Yolanda,

The flower is in bloom now and it will not grow any taller. It is best to water it in the leaf cups as you will see in the videos below. You will know the flower is dieing back when it looses it's color and turns brown. Then you can cut the flower off just below where it is currently colorful. The pups will appear 2-4 months after the flower has died. Allow the pups to get half the size that your plant is now before you separate them.

The 2 videos below you may find helpful. The 3rd item is a very thorough article on bromeliad care. After reviewing those feel free to contact me again if you have specific questions.  Good luck.

Darlene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3PIRQShGUY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWxAQuMeKmY&NR=1

http://www.bromeliads.info/archives/bromeliads-care-and-culture-overview