Brocchinia hechtioides

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brocchinia hechtioides

COMMON NAME: Carnivorous Bromeliad.

PLACE OF ORIGIN: The Tepui mountains and Gran Sabana,Venezuela.

GENERAL INFO: Brocchinia hechtioides is a sister species to Brocchinia reducta. The key difference is b.hechtioides more spread out leaf structure which creates multiple wells of water similarly to Catopsis berteroniana. This species also seems to have a preference for flying insects when compared to b.reducta, as explorers find many more winged insects captured in its traps. B. hechtioides also grows a bit larger than its little sister. Rare in cultivation and stunning to grow!

WATER: Brocchinia is considered terrestrial, growing almost exclusively on the ground. ALWAYS ensure at least some water is maintained in the central reservoir. This is
essential for protecting the large peltate trichomes which digest nutrients of the bottom of the water reservoir.

SOIL: We use a 60/40 or 70/30 perlite to peat or long fiber sphagnum mix for all Brocchinia.

CONTAINERS: We prefer terracotta pots, 12 inches or larger in size for this species. Plastic pots of the same
size are also adequate

LIGHT: Brocchinia should be pampered with as much full spectrum light as possible! This species rarely resembles its natural structure due the difficulty for cultivators to provide enough light to match that of the peaks of the Tepui sandstone mountains where they are found. For this reason, expect a greener plant with more splayed out leaves under low light, and a cylindrical yellow plant structure if maximum light environments are achieved!

FERTILIZATION: We recommend using MAXSEA brand fertilizer for all carnivorous plants. The plants will naturally catch pests, and these can be
‘fed’ to the plant by simply dropping them into the water well. Fertilize once every 2 weeks in spring
and summer, and once a month in winter. Never let fertilizer touch flowers