Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone knows how to care for bromeliads.
I have one in my tokays tank and it's been there for about two months. In the past month it has been slowly loosing it's bright purple color, I'm wondering what's causing this.

Probably due to light levels, some broms (crypanthus) in particular will "tan" turn red under optimum light levels. Chances are you don't have the light levels necessary to induce the tanning process. As it takes a very powerful light to approximate the light levels of the sun. No big deal the plant will continue to grow just fine.

how much light would be needed.
I have one fluorescent light on there now. I have a few more sitting around that I could add. I would just like to get the purple color to come back.

Israel

You could try another flourescent tube and see what happens. I have a plant/reptile room with a high pressure sodium fixture, these lights are expensive. If you have a dedicated room this could be an option. Mine is 1000 watts, although they make significantly lower wattages. Do a search for hid lighting (high intensity discharege) or look up hydroponic gardening. Sun systems make a nice unit I think they have units in the 250 watt range this would be adequete for say a 4'x4' table top. you usualy hang the light about 3' above the plants. Now that I think about it I believe they are coming out with some very strong flouresents. If your into plants you can't go wrong with these lights they will give you the results your after. Goodluck Clint

I'm really staring to get into Bromeliads, just love the look and colors of these plants. I have a hydroponic gardening store near me (They advertise on the radio here, we sell everthing but the seed, in a kinda of grow your own pot in your closet sounding advertisment it's really sicken).But I guess I'll have to stop in and see what they have in the way of lighting.

I want to build a much larger and taller enclosure. And I've always thought than fluorescent lights just wouldn't be bright enough for the plants at heights of 6 or 7 feet. Need higher output lights just didn't know where to look for them.

Thanks.

I grow orchids mostly, but I've also got some tomato plants going, I've got tomatos the size of plums right now. 3' is a rule of thumb for vegs./dope I have a couple of broms that a ways away from the lights and they are red. Stop at that store I'm sure they can set you up with what you want.

I've only recently become interested in orchids. I've developed quite a fascination with the slipper orchids and now have a few Paphiopedilum and Phrags... (don't remember the full name of the latter genus at the moment).

Easily as addicting as herps...

D

What is the world coming to? Maybe 6 months ago I saw some nice orchids (I don’t know anything about species) at Target for around $25. So I guess it was just a matter of time before Herper’s Depot started carrying them for $19.95. I was just there last night, and they had a really large assortment. Another odd (to me) thing. HD had more types of plants stacked up on pallets waiting to be unboxed, and they all said “Product du Canada.” Huh? I thought that stuff came from down South. They must have a bunch of greenhouses up in the North Country and/or their dollar must be in bad shape vis a vis the US dollar. So we don’t just get Mad Cow from the Canadians, eh?

-Joan