Question
My plant ( Tillandsia Cyanea) bloomed very well. Then the pod ( which was purple) stopped and started turning green. New shoots are coming out. Do I cut off the old one or do I just leave it alone. Thank you for your input.

Answer
Trish,

Twist or cut the old pod off and that will encourage the old plant to send out a new pup that will bloom again. Following are more complete care instructions:

HOW TO GROW A LAVA ROCK TILLANDSIA

GENERAL INFO: This plant is a bromeliad, Tillandsia Cyanea,

but it抯 commonly called, Pink Quill. It is an air plant and doesn't抰

require soil, but a mixture of an acid soil that is rich in peat with a

bit of sand will work. You can reuse the Lava Rock to plant the

pups in when necessary, but you may also plant the offspring this

plant produces in several ways. In a piece of driftwood and display

on a shelf, or hang from a ceiling hook. Perhaps a clear glass jar

filled with marbles. Enjoy!

WATERING: The leaves are curved to collect water, and by

misting the plant thoroughly at least once, or twice a week, its

reservoir should remain moist. It does not like to dry out. 2 cm of

water and its full.  The lava rock can be submersed under water

for 30 seconds when nearly dry.  The roots don't like to stay too

wet.

AIR: Humid air is ideal. Most homes are not humid enough, and to

help provide humidity to them mist frequently, and use a bowl and

gravel as described above as a humidity aid.

LIGHT: Keep free from dust. Light can be blocked by dust on the

leaf surface. Keep away from direct sun. It will grow well indoors.

Indirect, and abundant light is preferred.

TEMPERATURE: As long as it is kept above frost levels it can

survive. It prefers consistency. 70 degrees F would be ideal, but

nothing too much over 90 degrees F is preferred.

FERTILIZER: In the spring and summer months spray with a water

soluble fertilizer designed for flowering house plants twice a month.

Dilute the water with so many drops per gallon, etc. Refer to the

directions that come with the fertilizer available at your local garden

center.

BLOOMS: The pink paddle will fade, especially in direct sun, and

when all the little purple flowers have all zig zagged their way up the

paddle, it will one day fall over and deteriorate. Or you can

intervene, and twist the paddle off. Your plant in it will reproduce

itself, and you can force it to flower by placing the newly

established pup in an airtight plastic bag with a ripe apple for 2 to

3 days. It should bloom within six to fourteen weeks.

If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene