Propagation
Divide root offsets during late spring and place in a organic rich moist well-drained media.


Botanic information
Leaf: The broad long lanceolate leaves stand erect from a funnel-shaped rosette and tend to be arching. They are bright green above and scaly grey underneath with obtuse apex that is mucronate.

Flower: The tiny tubulate flowers have blue to purple petals and pink to red sepals. They are arranged densely in a cylindrical spike that is up to 250 mm (10in) long and is held above the foliage on a slender scape. They appear during early summer or sporadically throughout the year in tropical regions.

Fruit: The fleshy berry is spherical and rose-pink and the seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.

Culture
Temperature
The plants require a minimum temperature of 12.7şC (55şF)and may require a temperature of 24şC (75şF)to produce flowers.

Light
Most exotic bromeliaeds require bright indirect light only plants simular to Pineapples requiring full sun.

Water
These plants require well drained media and should be watered regular and kept moist but not wet. The vase forms should be filled with fresh water monthly and a humid environment is required. This may be achieved with regular misting of the foliage. Foliar fertiliser may be sprayed onto the foliage every 4 to 5 weeks during summer.

Glasshouse epithetic plants may be arranged on a pseudo-tree and displayed in a natural form. They rarely need re-potting and the soil should be kept slightly drier.