MANILA, Philippines — An ideal present for the Chinese New Year is the Guzmania, which belongs to the Bromeliad plant family or the Bromeliaceae. It’s one of the most colorful and long lasting bromeliads. The genus was named after Anastasio Guzman, a Spanish pharmacist and naturalist.

Several species and a lot of hybrids of Guzmania are cultivated as indoor and outdoor garden plants. They bloom with yellowish, orange and red bracts, similar to that of a pineapple leaf, which also belongs to the Bromeliad family.  Guzmania bromeliads have thin, green leaves and brightly colored flower bracts that last for many weeks.  Thus they are ideal plant decorations inside the home, office or in the garden.   They are used as accents in landscape designs or in flower arrangements and make such stunning tabletop plants.

The plant has long, narrow and shiny green leaves that rise from a deep central cup. It’s somewhat taller than most Bromeliads. Its large, showy flower bracts bloom with an amazing array of colors.  This is an easy plant to grow. but it will reward you with several weeks of colorful blooms.

The Guzmania dies after it produces its flowers in the summer but new plants can easily be propagated from the offsets or “anak,” which appear beside the mother plant. This plant is an epiphyte or air plant and can survive and grow even if it’s tied on to pieces of bark or woody branches with its roots bound in sphagnum moss.  It can also be established in a plastic pot with coconut coir fibers or garden soil as potting mix.

As a tropical plant, it requires warm temperatures and high humidity.  It’s best grown exposed to moderate shade.  Direct sunlight might scorch the leaves and overwatering may cause fungal infections.  The plant will thrive if water is always available in the central cup and it’s advisable to change the water daily to prevent mosquito wrigglers from developing.  Rain water or water with low salt content is recommended.

Aside from coconut husk, bark or woody branches, the Guzmania can also be planted in a pot with any soil mix.  It can be sparingly sprayed with a dilute liquid orchid fertilizer during the growing season.  For disease and insect control, dilute insecticide and fungicide solution is recommended during the rainy season.

Young and small Bromeliads are potted in small clay or plastic containers until they are established. These are then transferred to four-inch to six-inch pots until they flower.   One has to be cautious as a mature Guzmania is a top heavy plant and it could tip over in a standard plastic pot. The pot thus has to be well weighted with heavy stones ensconced in the pot.