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Aechmea orlandiana

finger of God

An evergreen perennial with strap-shaped leaves, heavily marbled with deep purple, and small yellowish flowers with showy red bracts, in conical clusters

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Bromeliaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Aechmea are evergreen perennials forming funnel-shaped rosettes of strap-shaped leaves, with a terminal spike of tubular flowers often with colourful triangular bracts, followed by fleshy fruits
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Brazil

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or indoors in a epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright filtered light and low humidity. In the growing season water freely and apply a low nitrogen fertiliser monthly. Keep the central ""cup"" filled with soft water. Can be grown outdoors epiphytically in a warm, moist site or in moist, gritty, humus-rich soil

Propagation

Propagate by rooting offsets in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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