Racina's Aechmea Aechmea racinae

Water

For the Urn Plant, commonly known as Aechmea racinae, watering should be done by filling the central cup of the plant, ensuring it's always at least a quarter full. The soil should be kept slightly moist but not soggy, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before adding more water. This typically translates to watering the soil every 1-2 weeks with about 4-6 ounces, depending on the humidity and temperature of the environment. During the growing season in spring and summer, check the central cup weekly and top up as needed. In winter, reduce watering to monthly, and always use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plant.

Light

The Urn Plant requires bright, indirect light to thrive, but it should not be exposed to direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves. An east-facing window where it can receive gentle morning sunlight or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window is ideal. If you have only dimly lit areas, consider using a grow light to provide the necessary light levels.

Temperature

The Urn Plant prefers warm temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making it well-suited for typical indoor environments. It can survive minimum temperatures of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but it should not be exposed to temperatures below this. Always keep the plant away from drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations to maintain its health.

Pruning

Prune the Urn Plant to remove dead or damaged leaves and to maintain its shape. Pruning is also necessary after the plant blooms, as you should cut the spent flower stalk to encourage new growth. The best time to prune is after flowering or during the active growing season in spring and summer. Generally, pruning is done once a year or as needed when you notice dead foliage.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Aechmea racinae, commonly known as Lace Vase, thrives in loose, well-draining potting mix such as a blend of equal parts sphagnum peat moss, fir bark, and coarse sand. Orchid potting mix is also suitable. The ideal soil pH for this bromeliad is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging between 5.5 to 7.0.

Repotting

The Lace Vase usually needs repotting every two to three years, as it prefers to be slightly root-bound. Best time to repot is after the blooming cycle or when the offspring, also called pups, have formed and are ready to be separated.

Humidity & Misting

Lace Vase prefers high humidity levels, ideally between 50-70%. It thrives in a moist environment which can be achieved with regular misting or placing the pot on a pebble tray with water.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Lace Vase in bright, indirect light indoors and maintain high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Grow Lace Vase outdoors in dappled shade and protect from cold.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Aechmea racinae, commonly known as Racina's aechmea, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in a suitable environment, typically within the moist, organic debris found in tree branches or terrestrial substrates. The seedling develops into a juvenile plant, establishing a small rosette of leaves that are capable of absorbing water and nutrients, especially relying on the tank formed by the central cup of overlapping leaves. As the plant matures, it develops a sturdy, central flower stalk that bears a striking inflorescence, which is often brightly colored to attract pollinators. After successful pollination, the flowers produce seeds that are then dispersed, often by birds or wind, to begin a new life cycle. Once the flowering process is complete, the parent plant will slowly start to decline, but before it dies, it typically produces offsets, or "pups," at its base, which will grow into new individual plants, perpetuating the species. The parent plant eventually dies, leaving the pups to continue the growth cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Aechmea racinae, commonly known as a type of bromeliad, can be propagated most effectively through the separation of offsets, also known as 'pups'. These pups are small vegetative clones of the parent plant that develop around the base of the plant. When they reach about one-third to one-half the size of the mother plant and have their own roots, they are ready to be removed and potted individually. This usually occurs during the plant's active growth period in the spring or early summer. To propagate, you would carefully separate a pup from the mother plant using a clean, sharp knife, being sure to include some of the roots. The pup is then potted in a well-draining potting mix suitable for bromeliads, typically composed of equal parts peat and perlite (in metric, that would be a 1:1 ratio of components), and kept in a warm, bright location to encourage establishment.