Question
Hi Will,

I have in my care temporarily a 6" Aechmea fasciata that has an offset as tall as the parent plant, although not as wide. Will you please advise the best method to separate the offset from its parent? Also, is this a plant that blooms more readily if exposed to lower night-time temperatures?

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
BJ


Answer
Hi BJ,

The offset can be left on the mother plant or can be severed and potted up separately. In either case, the mother plant will continue to die back slowly.

Remove the soil where the offset attaches to the mother plant. Most of the time the offset can be pulled away from the mother with a firm but gentle tug. Otherwise, cut it low on the woody part of the stem that attaches the offset to the mother.

Allow the severed offset to sit in the open air (out of the sun) for a day before potting it. Pot it in a small pot filled with a mix of peat moss and perlite. Keep this mix damp and place it in bright light away from direct sunlight. Keep temps above 65 degrees. You may want to place it inside a clear plastic bag to help maintain high humidity for the first month after it is potted up.

It may take several years before the offset is mature enough to flower. Make sure it stays tightly potted in a pot no more than 6" in diameter. Provide lots of very bright light and of course keep watering properly. After it reaches maturity, you may want to it in a clear plastic along with a ripe apple for 7 to 10 days. The ethylene gas given off by the ripening apple will help stimulate flowers. A 5-10 degree drop in night time temperature may help a bit, but is not a requirement.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]