Alcantarea Bromeliad Species, Imperial Bromeliad
Alcantarea imperialis
Family: | Bromeliaceae (bro-mee-lee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Alcantarea (al-kan-TAR-ee-uh) (Info) |
Species: | imperialis (im-peer-ee-AL-is) (Info) |
Synonym: | Vriesea imperialis |
Category:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Burgundy/Maroon
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Maroon/Burgundy
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Encino, California
La Jolla, California
San Diego, California(3 reports)
Santa Barbara, California(2 reports)
Big Pine Key, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Cape Coral, Florida
Dade City, Florida
Loxahatchee, Florida
Naples, Florida(2 reports)
Ainaloa, Hawaii
Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii
Kurtistown, Hawaii
Leilani Estates, Hawaii
Nanawale Estates, Hawaii
Pahoa, Hawaii
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Positive | On Feb 21, 2015, jv123 from Chehalis, WA (Zone 8b) wrote: V imperialis is more cold hardy than listed. A few winters ago it saw temperatures down to the low 20s, well below freezing overnight. It sustained a significant amount of damage, but recovered nicely and looks none the worse for wear. I think the fact that it was very large helped it shrug off the freezerburn. A very impressive bromeliad, one that is very nearly my favorite bromeliad. |
Positive | On Oct 28, 2014, Torc from San Diego, CA wrote: This is a wonderful plant. I live in SoCal and have two. I have them in large pots on pedestals made of concrete blocks (aka cinder blocks) that are stacked three high. This keeps the dogs and even the ants away from them. I will post photos. They are growing pretty much in full sun. I live in an area were they do get a sea breeze which I think helps. I flush them every day or so and water them with the flushed (nasty smelling) water from the bases of the leaves since I suspect it contains nutrients that they would receive were not growing in pots. I don't use any commercial fertilizer, only the flushed water. I do mist or shower them just about every day as the climate here is extremely dry. They do stand up well to cold. They have never been exposed to frost and once when there was a rar... read more |
Positive | On Mar 29, 2005, katsudon from baguio city, im from philippines living in one of the coldest part of the contry. |
Positive | On Aug 10, 2003, Monocromatico from Rio de Janeiro, This is a magnificent giant bromeliad, reaching up to 1,2m tall, but can grow up to 2m when blooming, It has large leaves, with a dark green superior page, and a purple inferior page. The spineless leaves form a rosette that acumulates water. Itīs not only important ecologically, but itīs also necessary to keep it constantly full of water. Itīs one of the largest bromeliads of the world, losing to species of the Andine genus Puya and maybe a very few isolated others from other genera (though I doubt they can grow that tall). |