Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a brome that had a big reddish purple cone on it( i think thats what its called ). It has produced many lillte flowers out of this cone. Now the cone is losing its color. It has faded to a pale green. Whats the problem? It is planted directly into the soil, should I move it onto a branch or the backwall? Thanks
Herschel

Do you know what genus of Brome this is? If I understand what you're describing correctly, this cone that produced the flowers is part of the inflorescence and will die back normally after the plant blooms. With most, the plant will then put out "pups" or new growth from the base, either on long stolons or directly, and the main plant will then often back. I think what you are seeing is normal. This scenario varies somewhat with different genera of bromes. Look to see if any new growth is coming from either the base or out of the axils of one or more of the lower leaves.

I do like to grow them epiphytically on the background or a high branch where they receive better drainage and are closer to the light, but if your substrate is well drained and not overly wet, and there's no sign of basal rotting, I don't think it's necessary to move it.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

Dendrobates: auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, tinctorius azureus, leucomelas. Phyllobates: vittatus, terribilis, lugubris. Epipedobates: anthonyi tricolor pasaje. Ranitomeya fantastica, imitator, reticulata. Adelphobates castaneoticus, galactonotus. Oophagia pumilio Bastimentos. (updated systematic nomenclature)

I don't know if this will help, but here's a Neoregelia with a spent inflorescence in the center and a pup growing above. (Bottom photo) In these, the flowering stalks don't rise above the center, but bloom down inside.

The other photo is of a Guzmania bloom surrounded by the colorful bracts. These fade to a light green after the smaller true blooms are gone, then then fall away. This may be more what you are talking about. (Top photo)

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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

Dendrobates: auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, tinctorius azureus, leucomelas. Phyllobates: vittatus, terribilis, lugubris. Epipedobates: anthonyi tricolor pasaje. Ranitomeya fantastica, imitator, reticulata. Adelphobates castaneoticus, galactonotus. Oophagia pumilio Bastimentos. (updated systematic nomenclature)

I just picked up two those from home depot for really cheap. They are huge. They don't look to be in good shape. I think the mother plant has bloomed and is fading away. Do you think I should seperate the pups or let it grow as it is?

How mature are the pups? I wait until they are open--past the bud looking stage before removing them, then just discard the "Mom" if she's looking shabby. If the pup is on a stolon, take most of this along with the offspring.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

Dendrobates: auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, tinctorius azureus, leucomelas. Phyllobates: vittatus, terribilis, lugubris. Epipedobates: anthonyi tricolor pasaje. Ranitomeya fantastica, imitator, reticulata. Adelphobates castaneoticus, galactonotus. Oophagia pumilio Bastimentos. (updated systematic nomenclature)