Thursday, February 16, 2012

Bromeliad Beauty




A season of rain seems to bring our bromeliads into bloom. Two weeks ago I first noticed a new bromeliad flower spike nestled half way up our frangipani tree trunk. When we bought our home 12 years ago there were a number of bromeliad plants, all of the same variety, tied to the large frangipani tree trunk and nestled underneath it.




Bromeliads are native to tropical America and come in a huge range of colours and forms, the most familiar being the edible pineapple fruit. Many, like this one, are epiphytes, living on or around other plants without being parasitic. They live mainly on moisture and nutrients from the air. In twelve years I have given them no care at all and they continue to slowly multiply and flower occasionally.

They tend to hold rain water in the centre of their circle of leaves. Sometimes we find little green tree frogs living in this natural water-well.

Filtered light suits bromeliads best, however the position of this one against the tree trunk has made light conditions extra tricky for photos. Most days over the last two weeks I have taken multiple photos to trace this flower spike's development, here are the best for us to enjoy.





































Watching this series just now I have discovered how the spike grows noticeably taller, measured against the frangipani trunk, in the early stages. Quite an amazing plant.

Sharing at This or That Thursday.

30 comments:

Giga said...

Świetnie wygląda miejsce w którym rośnie, a kwiat jest prześliczny. Cudowne zdjęcia - od pąka do przekwitnięcia. Pozdrawiam. *** Looks great place in which to grow, and the flower is beautiful. Wonderful pictures - from bud to the end of flowering. Yours.

Sylvia K said...

Exquisite flower and fantastic captures! Love the colors! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

How amazing to have something like that in your own back yard! great photos of a beautiful flower.

forgetmenot said...

Quite amazing plant is right!!! As always, your photos are remarkable. I love seeing the flower open little by little. Mickie :)

Jeanne said...

This is absolutely an amazing plant, and love how you have presented it here. Can hardly wait to get to Hawaii in a few weeks and photograph some of the similar flowers. So amazing.

Gillian Olson said...

It is an extraordinary plant. The colours are so beautiful, you have given us a lovely series of photographs here. Thank you.

Unknown said...

This flower is a natural painting, that of becoming change his offers surprising new details and nuances.
It still gives the fade in the magical language of intense emotion.
Thanks Karen.
Spring knows no rest in your garden.
best wishes.
Niki

geanina said...

the colours are so beautiful! very nice :)

Unknown said...

WOW!! What a breathtaking flower. I just love seeing the different things that grow there in your country..

Hugs, Linda

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Very special blossom !

Joop Zand said...

Great serie of this nice plant.

greetings, Joop

Mark said...

Great series Karen. I love Bromeliads, there is an incredible diversity and they never have to be looked after.

LadyFi said...

What a gorgeous plant! Magical shots.

Anonymous said...

Amazing and beautiful! Another plant I did not know and is quite interesting. Lovely shots as always and another appreciated trip to Wonderland for me!
Stay well.

LindyLouMac said...

What a lovely photographic story.

Karin M. said...

Wow ... amazing, so great and perfect images, fantastic red color.
Best regards, Karin

Unknown said...

It's not the first time I meet Bromeliads, but the sequence you shot is just perfect.
It made me think of National Geographic programs where you can watch a flower blossom in seconds. :)
Very well done.

Unknown said...

Just gorgeous! I love the color.

laveta'splace said...

Such a beautiful flower. You are so lucky to have it growing right in your garden.

Nona said...

Karen- These are beautiful, I love the colors and I felt like I was there watching it change from day to day. God Bless you, Nona
Btw, I don't know why we American's changed colours to colors. I prefer colours. :)

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Thank you Nona, so pleased you enjoyed watching these too.

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Wow that is gorgeous. It is just amazing to watch the stages like that. Beautiful photos!!

Cathy said...

Just the name, bromeliad, fits such a beautiful plant. I am astounded that you grow it in your yard.

Jennifer Dougan said...

Hello Pieces of Sunshine,

How relaxing to step onto your blog again and to hear birds, waves, soothing music, and vivid bromeliads (?) flare off the page! Beautiful, soothing. I linger for the birds and the music, and it reminds me to go turn on my own Pandora.

Thank you.

Frangipanie trees make me homesick for West Africa,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Rena said...

So uniquely lovely. The ants apparently love it, too! Can't blame them.

elizabeth said...

This is beautiful! Your question on my blog about the parchment paper in the little cup with the hyacinth bulb is because I wanted to protect the cup from discoloring from the potting soil.

deb duty said...

Such a beautiful flower. The color is so pretty and vibrant.

Liz said...

Such a lovely set of images. I haven't seen a Bromeliad before. It was very interesting to watch the development of the flower from the bud stage, along with your lovely relaxing music & birds.

anastasia said...

beautiful!
and the music is relaxing... thanks.

Ruby said...

Very exotic flowers. I especially love the pink shade. Cheers,Ruby

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