Question
I have a bromelia (I think) that my son gave me for mother's day.  I have sent a picture of it to your yahoo address, since I am aware there are about a million different kinds.  

In the past couple of weeks, it just doesn't look healthy anymore.  I don't have any experience with this type of plant, so any advice, especially what type it is, would be greatly appreciated.

I water it about every 10-14 days, using city water, making sure there is some water in the "cups" of the foliage as I was directed.  It is not in a window, and receives only indirect light.

The leaves are looking "wilty" and actually look burned.  The flower-thingy in the middle has turned a deep brown and looks almost dead.

At its peak, the plant was about 24 inches in diameter, but is wilted to much smaller now.  It is in a pot approximately 10 inches in diameter and 6 inches deep.

I don't have any experience with this type of plant, so any advice, especially what type it is, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Renee Dobney  

Answer
Renee,

Your plant is a Guzmania Bromeliad. It does not bloom forever and may have been blooming for some time before your son bought it for you. One problem it could be having is sun. It is from the floor of the jungle and does not like the sun but it does need very bright light. It also hates dry air and cold drafts. With your air conditioning on it could be close to a duct and getting a draft. Air conditioning also drys the air out so that could be a part of the problem.  Below you will find instructions on getting the plant to rebloom.

Cultural information: The Guzmania family of Bromeliads are available in nearly every shade of the color spectrum ranging from small compact plants... to 3 foot specimens. Guzmanias are really easy to maintain. Since most plants are discarded after they have finished blooming... they can be placed any where in the home or office. Their flowers can last any where between 6 to 12 weeks or more.  
Water your plant by pouring water down the stem of the plant creating a little water fall that ends at the soil... being careful not to pour water into upper leaves of the plant where the bloom is growing from. To re-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 again. Propagate by removing suckers from the mother plant when they are about half the size of the mother and potting them up in separate pots the same size as the pother plant is in.

Good luck.

Darlene