| Learn About Bromeliad PlantsPortea Bromeliad Plant
The Portea Bromeliad plant grows in the Brazilian coastal regions of Rio de Janeiro. It is a hardy and robust bromeliad with large spines on its leaves. This plant can grow to over three feet high when it is in bloom. It likes full sun. The Portea Bromeliad plant is among the most decorative of the Bromeliad plants.
PORTEA BROMELIAD APPEARANCE
The bloom is a beautiful combination of delicate lavender, blue gray, and coral pink. The leaves are narrow with spines on the edges and they are yellow green. The leaves provide a perfect backdrop to the colorful blooms of the Portea bromeliad plant. The flower stalk is a rosy red color and may be as high as 4 feet. It is a unique addition to outdoor gardens where climates permit them to remain outdoors year round. It also produces bluish colored berries.
PORTEA BROMELIAD HISTORY
It is part of a small bromeliad genus that only includes six species. The bromeliad was named after Dr. Marius Porte. He was a French plant collector who introduced this bromeliad that originated in Brazil towards the end of the 19th century.
AVAILABILITY OF PORTEA BROMELIAD
Of the six different species, the bromeliad Portea Leptantha is a rare and endangered species. Other species are easy to obtain. The plant can be purchased from nurseries, department stores, grocery stores, online, the bromeliad society, catalogs, and bromeliad plant growers.
GROWING THE PORTEA BROMELIAD
Though the Portea bromeliad plant prefers full sunlight, in some climates it will also grow in bright light. This bromeliad will need ample room to grow because it is one of the larger bromeliad plants. The plant can be grown indoors or outdoors. In climates that get too cold in the winter, the plant will need to be brought inside during the colder months. Part of the year it can spend its days outside and its nights inside. The leaves are not frost tolerant, but they will tolerate some low temperatures. When the plant will be spending time inside and outside, it will need to be planted in a planter. It likes warm temperatures and evenly moist soil. It should be protected from sunburn.
PORTEA BROMELIAD PESTS AND DISEASES
There are few pests that attack bromeliad plants. They are most susceptible to scale insects, which are small round or oval insects that quickly multiply and create yellow spots on the leaves. Insect attacks on bromeliads are controllable.
The Portea bromeliad is an addition to a garden that will stand out among the other plants, especially when it is in full bloom. In large rooms in a pot, this bromeliad can fill an empty space with color and interest. A full grown plant may be too big to give as a gift, but the younger and smaller plants make wonderful gifts that are a hardy and easy to care for plant.
Low temperatures, over watering, sunburn, injury, fungi, and insects can cause a bromeliad to be infected with disease. Sometimes chemical control will be needed.
Any bromeliad collection will become more complete by adding the dramatic and impressive Portea bromeliad plant. Be sure to shop around to get the best price when buying this bromeliad for yourself or to give as a gift.
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