Question
my friend has a bromilliad with long green leaves and an orange flower in the middle -  and she has brown thumbs. how should she care for this plant?  how much water? in the sun, out of the sun??? help!!!

Answer
Karen,

I beleive the plant is a Guzmania bromeliad. It needs a warm, bright location but no sun. It likes a little water twice a week but should not be left with water sitting in the drain tray. It likes to be moist but not wet, it is from the floor of the tropical rain forest, not from a swamp. Be very careful not to over water it but do not let it dry out either. When it is done blooming in 4 to 6 weeks cut the flower off but continue to care for the plant the same way. Fertilize it once a month. It will send out side shoots that can be removed and potted separately in a pot the same size as this one is in when it is half the size of the parent plant. It may send out as many as 4-5 side shoots. Then she can give you one. To trigger the babies to flower make sure your plant is not dry... place the plant in a large clear plastic bag out of direct sunshine... dice up an apple (the apple will produce ethylene gas) and place it on the soil. Seal the bag and leave your plant in the bag for 2 weeks, watering if necessary. Eventually your plant will flower. Good luck.

Darlene