PlantFiles: Urn Plant, Silver Vase Bromeliad, Aechmea
Aechmea fasciata 'Primera'

This plant tolerates neglect. Just fill the vase with water and once a month, pour out all the water and start again. No need to water the soil. It will only bloom once, so once the offshoot is 1/3 the size of the mother plant, you can cut off the offshoot and dispose of the mother plant. I have read that you can force the offshoot to bloom by placing the plant in a large plastic bag with a whole apple. I haven't tried it yet though.

For detailed info about this hybrid look here :
[HYPERLINK@www.patentstorm.us]

I am looking for more information on this plant which (according to the 'planter stick') is a fasciata primera. My husband brought one of these home about 4 years ago. It was in bloom at the time. He was told that they only bloom once, so I have divided the plant and now have 4 new plants. The plant in the picture below bloomed last week. These plants flourish in our sunroom, but this off-shoot of the original is the first blossom I've seen in 4 years.

Does anyone know if it's true that they only bloom once?
What should be the average time to see a first bloom?
Should I be using fertilizer? (I never have)
Other tips? (Thanks for sharing)
Here's the picture. (You may have to copy/paste the link into your browser.)
[HYPERLINK@www.funbeaches.com]

The flower of this plant is so beautiful and long lasting it is
well worth the waiting for it to bloom. I also like it for the
foliage which is bold and beautiful.

Unlike Aechmea fasciata, this cultivar has no spines on the leaves. Easier to handle and less damage to the flower spike.