Dyckia Fosteriana

Dyckia Fosteriana Care

Dyckia Fosteriana

What is the plant

Dyckia fosteriana are spiny, stemless bromeliads resembling prickly succulents. It has shiny, stiffly arching, dull grey leaves up to 22cm (9 inch) long and 1-2cm (0.4-0.8 inch) wide, viciously armed with tiny hooked spines along the edges. In bright sunlight the leaf colour changes to rich metallic bronze. The leaves grow in a tight rosette. In the spring bell shaped flowers in orange-yellow colour and 2cm (0.8 inch) long appear on 22-30cm (9-12 inch) long, slender flower stalk. These flower stalk are rising from a side of a mature rosette – not from the centre as on other bromeliads – meaning that the plant is not dying after flowering as most other bromeliads does.Dyckia fosteriana generally form new rosettes rapidly, building up into relatively large cluster. It spread little more than 30cm (12 inch) or so.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

10°C - 24°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Although they will tolerate drought, they thrive on frequent watering while actively growing, however keep plants on the dry side during cold weather or during periods of reduced light. In the summer time they tend to dry out rapidly; it is helpful to keep them in a shallow container of water.
Fertilizer
Use full a dilute fertilizer solution (¼ strength or less) with every watering spring through fall, but eliminate fertilizer during cold weather. When plants are actively growing in strong light, it is hard to over fertilize an established plant, but they don’t appear to suffer if they are not fertilized, they just grow more slowly.
Sunlight
They like full sunlight. 5000 foot-candles, 50% shade, is probably the least amount of sun that they can have and still flourish.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Lightly amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic matter.
Temperature
They prefer temperatures in the range of 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will withstand much lower and higher temperatures. Most species will not be harmed by freezing weather if they are planted in the ground and given minimal protection.
Container
Dyckias probably do best when they are grown in the ground. Their ability to take temperatures in the 15-20 degree range makes them one of the best Bromeliads to use for landscaping in the Houston area. They should be able to take all but our most severe winter weather with only minimal protection. If you do choose to grow them in pots, use one that will accommodate the plant’s large root system. This is one plant that appreciates a pot that is about as wide as or wider than the plant itself. But WARNING: usually the larger the pot and the more the fertilizer the bigger the plant.