Queen' s tears (Billbergia nutans)
Description
Billbergia nutans (Queen's-Tears) is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. This plant is often used as an ornamental plant, and it is probably one of the most common bromeliads grown. It is a durable house plant because this bromeliad can often withstand several periods of neglect. Being epiphytic, bromeliads can grow almost anywhere - on the side of a tree or planted in the ground. They have few roots, just enough to anchor them, and they get their moisture and nutrients from the air like the name suggests. They like humidity and, when it rains, their cups fill with water. During spring and summer you should fertilize with a diluted, balanced, liquid fertilizer. Since bromeliads are epiphytes, foliar feeding may be preferable. There are ways to force bromeliads to bloom. One way is to add a little Epsom salt (Magnesium sulfate) to their water. The other way is probably better known, especially with other plants - place an apple next to the plant and cover both of them with a plastic bag. Leave them together for a week or more - the bromeliad should bloom within the next 1–2 months
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Poales
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Family: Bromeliaceae
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Genus: Billbergia
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