Can anyone please advise me regarding this problem with my B.reducta?

http://www.cpukforum.co.uk/uploader/user_u...s/b-reducta.jpg


I went away on holiday for two weeks and when I got back, the plant had shot up in what appears to be a search for light. There are around eight new leaves.

As I couldn't be certain to have anyone look after the plant properly in my absence, I put it in a clear plastic bag with a little water, out of direct sunlight in a south facing room. During the heat wave of the last few weeks the temperature in the room must have been higher than usual.

The plant had previously been in very good health and was growing nicely. I had it in direct sunlight whenever I was around to mist it regularly; it had plenty of prey, and was watered every day from above.

None of the other plants which were housed alongside the B.reducta, which include pineapple and Heliamphora, reacted in this way.

I'd like to know if anything can be done with this plant now. The growing point is now several inches above the normal leaves. I was wondering if there is any way of getting roots to form high up on the shoot and start another plant from that? Will another growing point develop back down in what was the reservoir of the plant? How long before any pups are likely to start growing around the base?

I suppose the more important question is what are the best conditions to leave B.reducta in when unattended for a couple of weeks during summer holidays?

Thanks in advance.

Christopher

not that i have ever tried to grow a B.reducta,but it looks ok, what you think looks like abnormal growth looks like its about to flower

I agree it looks like you may have flowers coming. The main plant will slowly die off after flowering, but it should provide you with several offshoots before it does.

Thanks for the reply. My first thought also was that it was about to flower. However, the stalk is comprised of leaves rather than a stalk as seen in the following link.

http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=13306

I would give it a while and see what it does. there is not much you can do to make the other leaves catch up to the same height. If it is not flowers it will flower eventually and you can start again. I would be surprised if it isn't a flower though.

flower stalk

Definately a flower spike!
Your going to be a parent. Brocchinia reducta usually put out quite a few pups during and after flower.
B.reducta is picky about the environmental conditions when it comes to setting seed. They like cool temps.

Steve Stewart
Florida, USA