Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Exotic Blooms of Queen's Tears

Queen's Tears (Billbergia Nutans) is soaking up the Texas sun and putting on a show in my greenhouse today.  



Queen's Tears is a very low maintenance Bromeliad.  I provide mine with standard potting mix and water twice a week in the summer. I've read you should fertilize about every 2 weeks with a diluted liquid fertilizer, but honestly, I fertilize, maybe, once a month. 
 
Even with average care, this plant needs to be re-potted nearly every year.  For this reason, it has received the nickname the "friendship plant".  Queen's Tears is an excellent pass along plant that I would be happy to share with anyone.  Just ask. 
 
Queen's Tears likes bright indirect light and thrives outside in the summer under my shade trees.  In the winter time, you'll need to bring it into the house or a heated greenhouse.  Be sure to cut back on water and fertilizer during the winter months.   
 
My Queen's Tears normally bloom in late winter to early spring, so seeing it bloom in November was a nice surprise.  The pink bracts are exotic by themselves, but the flowers... Wow!  
 

7 comments:

  1. I'm not familiar with Queen's Tears, but I'd love to take you up on your offer of one, it's gorgeous! Some of us MG interns want to take regular tours of each other's gardens. Could we come visit yours? Thanks for telling me about Garden Girl, that's a great site.

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  2. Mary, the tour idea sounds like fun. I'd be glad to participate as both a tour host and a tour participant. Email me at: mustang.ally2005@gmail.com, that way I'll have your contact info. We can arrange a meet in the future to get you some Queen's Tear.

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  3. Beautiful. Pass one my way too, please.

    Cindy S.

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  4. Oh, pick me pick me... I would love one too once we get settled into our next place :)

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  5. Teresa, I'll have plenty to share and will definitely keep you in mind.

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  6. Hi Ally, I would love a pup or two if you still have any. I have tons of succulent and epiphyllum cuttings I could share in return. Thank you, Magdalena. mvd001@cox.net

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