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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:

  1. 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.

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

    Sylvia

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

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

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  5. 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.

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

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  7. 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

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  8. the colours are so beautiful! very nice :)

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

    Hugs, Linda

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  10. Great serie of this nice plant.

    greetings, Joop

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

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  12. What a gorgeous plant! Magical shots.

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  13. 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.

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

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  15. 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.

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  16. Just gorgeous! I love the color.

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

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  18. 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. :)

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

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

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

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  22. 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

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

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  24. 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.

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

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  26. 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.

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

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

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