Aregelia

(Arege'lia)

DESCRIPTION: These are tropical plants, belonging to the Pineapple family. They are native of South America. They are epiphytes (growing on trees) and their leaves, which are arranged in basal rosettes, have prickly edges. They produce thick clusters of white, blue or violet flowers.

POTTING: Plant them in well-drained pots of osmunda fiber or in a mixture of osmunda fiber and half-decayed leaves with charcoal added. Pot them firmly in the spring. Water well from spring through fall and moderately in the winter. They need a sunny position and a 60- to 70-degree temperature. Well-rooted plants will benefit from applications of a dilute liquid fertilizer.

PROPAGATION: Suckers or side shoots can be detached and potted separately in March. Seeds sown in sandy peat will germinate easily.

VARIETIES: A. marmorata; A. spectabilis.

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