Nidularium

The genus name comes from the Latin nidus - nest, which relates to the placement of the inflorescences inside the rosette. About 80 species are known, distributed in eastern Brazil. The plant is kept in a bright, humid place; in winter at 18-20 °C, in summer 20-26 °C. Requires diffuse light, grows well on north-facing windows. Watering is abundant; in summer the water in the rosette should be kept permanently, and during this period weak fertilizers are applied. They are applied not only to the soil but also by spraying the leaves. In winter watering is reduced. Propagation is by offsets, which flower at 2-3 years of age.

Nidularium billbergioides - Nidularium billbergioides

An epiphytic or epilithic plant. Native to Brazil. Grows in lowland forests. The scape is short, erect, thin. Flowers in few-flowered spikes, grouped 5-6 into a dense, head-like compound inflorescence about 8 cm long. The spikes are sessile, of 5-6 flowers, completely concealed in the axils of large lemon-yellow bracts 6-7 cm long, which turn green after flowering. Flowers 2.5–3 cm long, sepals greenish, half fused, petals white, 2 cm long. Flowers from May to December. Leaves form a funnel-shaped rosette, broadly linear, tapering to the apex and somewhat narrowed at the base, bright green, 30-70 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, margins finely and serrately toothed.

Nidularium fulgens - Nidularium fulgens

In Nidularium fulgens the leaves are green with dark spots. The inner leaves in the rosette are shortened and redden before flowering.

Nidularium innocentii lineatum - Nidularium innocentii lineatum

Nidularium innocentii lineatum is an epiphytic or terrestrial plant, rather rarely encountered in indoor culture. Leaves are stiff, with spines along the margin of the blade, either uniform or variegated; during inflorescence formation the inner parts of the funnel leaves turn bright red, giving the plant a striking ornamental appearance. Size – 20-30 cm, up to 60 cm in diameter. Flowers are not very decorative, white, arranged in an inflorescence composed of numerous sessile spikes, which are located deep in the axil of the bracts. Leaves 20-30 cm long, dark green with white longitudinal stripes along the margins, broad, strap-shaped with sharp toothed edges, acute or rounded; young leaves form a reddish rosette.

A variety known as Nidularium striatum (var. striatum) with longitudinal white-yellow stripes can be mistaken for Neoregelia. Its inner leaves also redden before flowering; however, they are considerably shorter than those of Neoregelia 'Carolina'.

Location: very bright, but protected from direct midday sun. Grown at room temperature, which even in winter should not drop below 16 °C.

Light: partial shade.

Watering: the soil should be kept constantly moist; in summer water is also poured into the rosette. Use only soft water at room temperature for watering and spraying. In winter, when kept in a cool place, watering is limited and the plant is not sprayed.

Air humidity: requires high humidity and regular spraying during the summer period.

Care: feed every 2-3 weeks with a weakly concentrated flowering fertilizer in spring and summer.

Propagation: in spring and summer by side shoots from the mother plant. A common way of feeding is via the leaves — the water in the sprayer is replaced with liquid fertilizer.

Repotting: the plant does not require repotting. Soil: a mix of garden soil, humus, and sand with added charcoal (1:2:1).