Aechmea fasciata 'Primera'

Synonyms: silver vase

Aechmea fasciata 'Primera' (Aechmea fasciata "Primera") – a cultivar of Aechmea fasciata from the genus Aechmea (Aechmea). The cultivar was patented in 2002; the breeders were Elly Bak and Nicolaas D. M. Steur.

It is an epiphytic, slow-growing plant 30-90 cm tall and up to 60 cm wide. Leaves are broad, obovate, 45-90 cm long, arranged in a rosette, papery-leathery, with spiny-serrated margins, green with broad silvery or white transverse bands and spots.

Inflorescences are head-shaped, with red-purple bracts and a spiny edge. The scape is erect and densely hairy. Flowers are small, sessile, with violet-blue petals. Blooms from early summer through the end of winter.

Hardiness zone: 11 (4-5°C).

Temperature: Aechmea prefers moderate temperatures - around 20-25°C in summer, about 17-18°C in winter, minimum 16°C.

Light: Bright, diffused light, with some direct sun possible in the morning or evening. Grows well on east and west windowsills. Aechmeas with thick, stiff leaves (such as the striped Aechmea, the bracted Aechmea, etc.) can also do well on south-facing windows, where shading may be required only during the hottest hours of the day.

Watering: The substrate should be kept slightly moist at all times. In spring and summer the rosette should be filled with soft water.

Fertilizers: Feed in spring and summer. Use fertilizers formulated for bromeliads. You can use fertilizers for other flowering houseplants at half strength. Apply every 2 weeks.

Humidity: Aechmea prefers fairly humid air, about 60% humidity. Therefore it is beneficial to regularly mist the plant with warm, soft water using a very fine spray.

Repotting: Annually after flowering into a soil composed of 1 part light turf soil, 1 part peat, 1 part leaf mold and 1 part humus, with some sand. You can use a commercial bromeliad potting mix. The planting container should not be too deep.

Propagation: By seeds and offsets (pups), when they are sufficiently formed, i.e., about 13-15 cm long. Young plants obtained from offsets usually flower in one to two years. Plants grown from seed typically flower in 3-4 years. In that case Aechmeas are repotted every two years.