Brocchinia tatei

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brocchinia tatei

COMMON NAME: Bromeliad.

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

GENERAL INFO: Brocchinia tatei is one of the largest species of Brocchinia. They are native to the Tepui regions of
Venezuela. In its light-bathed natural environment atop the mountains of Venezuela, the species forms yellow, cylindrical and wax-covered water tanks. Insects are attracted to the bright colors, and also the sweet aroma emitted from the stored liquid. Victims then slip on the chalky powder accumulated on the leaves and fall to their deaths in the water reservoirs below.

WATER: Brocchinia are 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 pots, 12 inches or larger in size for this species.

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! They display a very interesting symbiotic relation ship with the bladderwort U.humboldtii which grows inside of the water wells. (Available on our page!)

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