Alcantarea imperialis Carriere, Harms

Common name(s): Empress of Brazil, Imperial Bromeliad

Family: Bromeliaceae Synonym(s): Vriesea imperialis Carriere 1888

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties

Origin(s)

Mexico

Rio de Jan: Indigenous

Plant Type

Bromeliad, Perennial, Succulent Ally

Bromeliad,

Perennial,

Succulent Ally

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Arid-Semi / Steppe, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub

Arid-Semi / Steppe,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Sun - Afternoon, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Sun - Afternoon,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Desert Vegetation

Habitat Zone(s)

Cliffs, Dry Valley Slopes, Exposed Stony embankments, Garden, Hill Sides, Landscape, Open areas, Rock crevices, Rocky, Well drained

Cliffs,

Dry Valley Slopes,

Exposed Stony embankments,

Garden,

Hill Sides,

Landscape,

Open areas,

Rock crevices,

Rocky,

Well drained

Mature Height

1-1.5m

Mature Width

1-1.5m

Plant Shape

Rosette

Growth Rate

Slow

Life Span

10-15yrs, 15-30yrs

10-15yrs,

15-30yrs

Leaf Properties

Leaf Colour (front)

Grey-green, Silver-green

Grey-green,

Silver-green

Leaf Colour (back)

Burgundy Dark, Grey-green, Maroon

Burgundy Dark,

Grey-green,

Maroon

Leaf Shape(s)

Linear

Broad

Leaf Texture (front)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Fleshy

Leaf Texture (back)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Fleshy

Leaf Width(s)

100-150mm

Leaf Margin(s)

Entire

Leaf Arrangement

Basal or Radial

Leaf Cross Section(s)

Corrugated / Wavy

Apice(s)

Acuminate Broad

Leaf Aroma

None

Leaf Attachment

Sessile

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Flowering Time (start)

Summer Early

Flowering Time (end)

Autumn Early

Colour(s)

Cream

Aroma(s)

Sweet-moderate

Flower Shape(s)

Tubulate

Flower Size(s) Width

15-20mm, 20-25mm

15-20mm,

20-25mm

Arrangement(s)

Bract

Spike

Bract,

Spike

Arrangement Size(s)

2-2.5m

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Bees,

Birds,

Butterflies

Stamen Number

many

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Bacca

Outer Texture

Smooth

Waxy

Smooth,

Waxy

Aroma

None

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Tap

Fibrous,

Tap

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Organic Matter

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Slightly Acid, Neutral

Slightly Acid,

Neutral

Condition(s)

Moist

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Fertile , Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Poor

Bird Attraction

Insect

Butterfly Attraction

Poor

Frog Habitat

Moderate

Coastal

1st Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Maintenance(s)

Dead Heading

Pests/Diseases

Aphid, Mealy Bug, Root Rot Fungus, Scale

Aphid,

Mealy Bug,

Root Rot Fungus,

Scale

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Container, Fire Retarding, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Cacti, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Desert, Garden-Indoors, Garden-Rock, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Xeriscape, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Garden-Container,

Fire Retarding,

Foliage-interesting,

Garden-Cacti,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Desert,

Garden-Indoors,

Garden-Rock,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Xeriscape,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Specimen,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Medium, High

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Fertilising Requirements

FR2

Wind Tolerance

Light Winds

Propagation

Fresh Seed, Offsets

General Notes

A large terrestrial bromeliad, considered one of the giants of the species. Tolerating dry conditions and full sun, it is a hardy addition to the garden or landscape for warm to hot areas. It takes 8 - 15 years before it flowers with a 3 metre tall spike of cream flowers that lasts for up to 12 months then dies back, leaving a collection of offsets (pups) in its place.

Several cultivars are available A. imperialis 'Rubra' underside of leaf red A. imperialis 'Purpurea' deep purple to maroon leaves A. imperialis 'Peter Tristam' cultivated in Australia the largest of the species, grey-green upper and maroon underside of the leaf

Propagation Notes

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Offsets

Flowering

Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Division

Sep, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, May

Material Preparation

Select offsets that are approximately a 1/3 or more the size of the mother plant. Either pull away or with a sharp knife, slice down the side of the stem of the mother plant to remove the offset with roots attached where possible and a little of the stem. Place to one side and allow the wound to callous for 4 - 6 hours.

Propagating Mix

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part Orchid Bark

Treatment

3/4 fill the 140mm pot with mix. Hold the offset over the soil mix in the pot and back fill around the offset and firm down. The offset should stand firm and be approximately 20 - 30mm into the mix, not too deep or it will rot. Water the pots of mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide. Place in cold house, keep moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75-95 %

Nursery Stock 90-99 %

Rooting time:- Field Stock 4 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4 - 8 weeks

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Seed Collecting

May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Material Preparation

Collect the berries once they have ripened. Remove as much of the flesh as possible while it is fresh. Wash off the remaining flesh in a bucket of water with solvol soap, rinse and lay out to dry in a tray or on paper towel. Store in a cool, dark place. For best results plant as soon as possible.

Viability:- 3 - 6 months

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

1 part Premium Seed Raising Mix + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Fill seedling tray and firm down. Surface sow seed, light enhances germination, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-34° C.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 20 - 45 days

Pricking out:-

Tube Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 2 parts coarse washed Sand

Pot Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part Orchid Grade Bark