How can I save my indoor bromeliad?

Question

The leaf and flower edges are turning brown. This started happening after I accidentally over watered it (at the 1 week mark instead of the 2 week mark). Not sure of the breed. Climate is dry and provides indirect sun. I also sprayed the plant a few days in a row in the morning, but I've stopped since the browning is still there.

Now I can't remember if I need to water it today or not. How can I tell? Is it more harmful to over water or to under water?
What does this mean, and is there anything I can do?

Answer 1

Just mist it heavily every day with distilled water. Mist it enough so the leaf pockets have a little water in them. The soil doesn't have to be watered because in the wild they don't grow in the ground, they grow on the sides of trees like mistletoe which is really a parasite. Lots of indirect light is good and a warm room. Just snip off the dead ends.

Answer 2

it is more harmful to overwater because it will rot. if you overwater it try to drain any standing water from the 'vase' or cup like flower. hold hand over the soil to keep from falling out of the grow container. if the edges are turning brown with yellow margins that means too wet. if the edges are brown without the yellow it is dry and needs water. indoor, cultivated bromeliads like it dry, water sparingly since the plant is most likely planted in a peat moss and it will retain water but feel kinda dry.
you also might try to take it back to the nursery where you purchased it and see if they can help. it is hard to advise w/o seeing it, but i'd guess it is a 'guzmania'. best of luck

Answer 3

Feel the soil. Bromeliads really like water - are the roots well aerated? because they like to be root bound (all stuffed into one pot) and they like their roots to get air. They love misting and they like sun

I have one that is enormous and about 10 years old. It blooms twice a year and it is gorgeous. Her name is Queeny.