Puya Bromeliad Species
Puya venusta
| Family: | Bromeliaceae (bro-mee-lee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Puya (POO-yuh) (Info) |
| Species: | venusta (ven-NUSS-tuh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Pitcairnia sphaerocephala |
| Synonym: | Pitcairnia venusta |
| Synonym: | Puya coquimbensis |
| Synonym: | Puya gaudichaudii |
Category:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Bronze
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
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:
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color:
Medium Blue
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are showy
Bloom Size:
over 6"
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Brentwood, California
Fresno, California
Mckinleyville, California
Sacramento, California
San Leandro, California
San Marino, California
Tulare, California
Lakeland, Florida
Austin, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Mar 10, 2009, andyCH from Basel CH, had a gemination rate of nearly 100%. bought the seeds (online shop) and stored them dry at about 4°C for 5 month. sowed about 50 seeds on flatened cocos humus and kept the soil very wet. the pot is in a reptile tank lighted 18 hours by two fluorescent tubes by high air humidity and about 22°C. sprayed pure wather on the seeds and in the tank, nearly every day. now, after 2 weeks i count 50 baby plants. |
| Positive | On Oct 3, 2008, chileflora from Talca, Sow superficial, NEEDS LIGHT!!! about 70 % germination rate can be assured if you comply with it |
| Positive | On Nov 16, 2005, wallaby1 from Lincoln, Seed sown 24th April zone 8a Uk in sunny greenhouse with some shading. Seed tiny bits of brown, flat, looks like debris, sown on surface of leafy/gritty/moss peat mix, covered loosely with plastic. Long time to germinate, most surviving, ended up with 13, bulk of growth put on late summer/early autumn. Cool summer, often less than 20C, seemed to like it. Quickly filling pot, unsure whether to prick out now or spring, will be keeping inside over winter this year, may try some outside when larger. I have sandy, stony river-bed soil, frosts rarely beyond -5C, can be to -9C and have had to -20C winter 1982 prolonged frost and snow. Last prolonged frost 2000 to -9C, history indicates this cycle is every 18-20 years, so I remain optimistic! Also sowed puya alpestris with no result. |
| Positive | On Jan 31, 2004, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This is an impressive xeriphytic bromeliad great for large cactus gardens where a silver-colored plant would be desired. It is a prolific suckerer, as many bromeliads are, and though it's supposed to be monocarpic, each sucker lasts a long time before flowering and hardly affects the plant as a whole at all. The flowers are huge and showy relative to the size of the leaves (curve, thin and very sharp). A Chilean native. |
