Aechmea 'Blue Tango'

Common name(s): Blue Tango Bromeliad

Family: Bromeliaceae

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Flowers

Taken by Ken Harrington

Flowers

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties

Origin(s)

United States

Florida: Cultivar

Plant Type

Bromeliad, Epiphytic, Perennial, Succulent Ally

Bromeliad,

Epiphytic,

Perennial,

Succulent Ally

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Climate Range(s) - Tolerance

Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Heavy

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light,

Shade - Heavy

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Landscape, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Rock crevices, Understory, Wind Protected

Garden,

Landscape,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Rock crevices,

Understory,

Wind Protected

Mature Height

800-900mm, 900mm-1m

800-900mm,

900mm-1m

Mature Width

150-200mm

Plant Shape

Rosette

Growth Rate

Moderate

Life Span

1-2yrs, 2-5yrs

1-2yrs,

2-5yrs

Leaf Properties

Leaf Colour (front)

Glossy, Green, Green Light

Glossy,

Green,

Green Light

Leaf Colour (back)

Glossy, Green, Green Light

Glossy,

Green,

Green Light

Leaf Shape(s)

Linear

Recurved

Linear,

Recurved

Broad

Leaf Texture (front)

Glabrous

Smooth

Waxy

Glabrous,

Smooth,

Waxy

Fleshy

Leaf Texture (back)

Glabrous

Smooth

Waxy

Glabrous,

Smooth,

Waxy

Fleshy

Leaf Length(s)

300-400mm, 400-500mm, 500-600mm

300-400mm,

400-500mm,

500-600mm

Leaf Width(s)

50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm

50-60mm,

60-70mm,

70-80mm

Leaf Margin(s)

Serrate

Toothed

Serrate,

Toothed

Leaf Arrangement

Basal or Radial

Rosette

Basal or Radial,

Rosette

Leaf Cross Section(s)

Concave

Flat

Concave,

Flat

Apice(s)

Aristate

Obtuse

Aristate,

Obtuse

Base(s)

Truncate

Leaf Aroma

None

Leaf Attachment

Ascending

Collar Broad

Collar Divided

Ascending,

Collar Broad,

Collar Divided

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Colour(s)

Blue, Pink Dark, Red

Blue,

Pink Dark,

Red

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangement Size(s)

375-400mm

Pollinator(s)

Birds, Butterflies

Birds,

Butterflies

Root Properties

Type

Epiphytic

Fibrous

Epiphytic,

Fibrous

Texture

Cord-like , Fibrous , Fleshy , Pliable

Cord-like,

Fibrous,

Fleshy,

Pliable

Colour(s)

Brown Light, Cream Deep

Brown Light,

Cream Deep

Invasiveness

None

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral

Condition(s)

Moist

Fertile , Poor , Shallow , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Waterlogging Class

None

Watering Requirements

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,

WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Poor

Bird Attraction

Insect, Nectar

Insect,

Nectar

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

Moderate

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Maintenance(s)

Dead Heading

Pests/Diseases

Slugs, Snails

Slugs,

Snails

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Architectural, Garden-Border Plant, Garden-Container, Fire Retarding, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Cacti, Garden-Indoors, Garden-Rock, Garden-Tropical, Pool side, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Specimen, Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Garden-Architectural,

Garden-Border Plant,

Garden-Container,

Fire Retarding,

Foliage-interesting,

Garden-Cacti,

Garden-Indoors,

Garden-Rock,

Garden-Tropical,

Pool side,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist,

Specimen,

Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Medium, High, Very High

Medium,

High,

Very High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Annual Precipitation Range

250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm, 500mm

250mm,

300mm,

350mm,

400mm,

450mm,

500mm

Fertilising Requirements

FR2

Wind Tolerance

Light Winds

Propagation

Offsets

General Notes

A cultivar of Aechmea dichlamydea var. trinitensis x A. fendleri developed by Patricia Bullis of Princeton, Florida has a stunning irredescent blue flower.

Propagation Notes

Offsets

Division

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb, 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. Place to one side and allow the wound to callous for 4 - 8 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

Notes

Once the plant has finished flowering it will start to die, the offsets remaining will get nutrients from the dying plant and take better root. They can be divided easily after that with a good root system.