Matchstick Bromeliad (Aechmea gamosepala var. gamosepala), Single, Potted - Pink Calyces, Blue Petals

Family: Bromeliaceae (the bromeliad family)
Genus: Aechmea (includes silver vase [urn plant])

Botanical/Binomial Name: Aechmea gamosepala var gamosepala
Meaning of Name:
Aechmea, from Ancient Greek αἰχμή (aikhmḗ, ‘spearhead’, ‘arrowhead’) inflorescence like a spear; and
gamosepala, from Italian gamosepala (feminine singular of gamosepalo, ‘having united sepals’)

Common Name: Matchstick Bromeliad

Botanical Characteristics: Herbaceous | Perennial | Epiphytic| Frost tender to tolerant
Propagation: Division of stolons with roots and attached ‘pups’

Item Description:
This is a single plant in a pot which may vary from 100-120 mm diameter and height. Photo is indicative of, but may not be the actual plant purchased.

The bromeliad is about 300 mm tall excluding the flower spike. Leaves are at least 500 mm long when extended.
Please note: plants will remain potted if for local pick-up, but to post I will send bare-rooted in moist pine shavings, and with leaves heavily trimmed so as to reduce both plant stress and postage.
Alternatively buy mature trimmed bare-rooted plants here.

Plant Description:
This plant is called the ‘matchstick bromeliad’ because of the funky psychedelic-coloured ‘matchsticks’ along the flower spike.
The pink bits are the protective sepals of the flower and the blue bits are the flower petals. The sepals of one flower are collectively a calyx, and the plural of calyx is calyces.
Thus the flowering spike (the inflorescence) of this matchstick bromeliad comprises multiple pink calyces along a stem, through which protrude blue petals.

Growing Information:
The matchstick bromeliad is an epiphytic plant, meaning that in the wild it would normally grow on another plant (without harming it in any way), and thus the roots are designed to attach to a surface rather than to uptake nutrients. They can still grow in pots so long as the medium is free-draining and their leaf ‘cups’ are always filled with water.

These plants do not like direct sun and prefer part- to full-shade. They are best fertilised with an occasional liquid fertiliser to mimic how epiphytes normally derive nutrients, which is from rotting leaf and other matter collected in the leaves.

The vivid and striking flower spikes emerge over winter and are very long-lasting. They can even be cut for vase flowers.

Matchstick bromeliads propagate via pups on stolons (runners), and this individual will steadily multiply into several very easily. Either pot up to a larger pot as it fills this one, or plant directly into the ground under a shady tree for a very pleasing groundcover clump to develop over time.