Aeroponic cloning of bromeliads?

[MH777]

Is it possible to propagate bromeliads by cuttings, or by some other cloning method?

I am most interested in aeroponic cloning, but curious as to how one might quickly propagate.

I am *not* a commercial grower. I am simply trying to save a couple rare species, and re-build my tropical garden after 2 hurricanes.

Thank you

[Timm Stolten]

Hi MH777,

bromeliads by cuttings ist nearly impossible, because they belong to the
monocots. Like Grasses or Palms.
Nevertheless there are a few where it works sometimes.
But those are quite rare species and I suppose those are not the ones u mean.

Which species are we talking about ?
With over 3000 different bromeliads it is hard to make a general statement.
Broms are normally propagated by seed, or mostly offshots.
Depending on the genus its possible to get several offshots from just one
motherplant and to produce clones this way quite rapidly.

Greeting to wherever u are

Timm

[Gast]

Hi MH777,

Which species are we talking about ?

Timm

Aechmea 'Foster's Favorite Favorite' - but this is a black hybrid. It is not Aechmea 'Black Jack,' and as far as we know, the 20 or so that we have, are all that exist.

We have never propagated by any means other than vegetative, or "offshots", as you put it. (we call them "pups")

I am interested in trying to speed up the propagation process by using *true* aeroponics. (NOT hydroponics) It seems to me that this would be a perfect method, but I have not seen much talk about it, and don't see much on the web in this way...

As for me, I am 'anonymous' in Florida...

Good to talk to you. Thanks for any help you can give.

[Timm Stolten]

I am interested in trying to speed up the propagation process by using *true* aeroponics. (NOT hydroponics) It seems to me that this would be a perfect method, but I have not seen much talk about it, and don't see much on the web in this way...

Honestly said, I do not have any experiences with both methods, I only
know them from the books. But as far as I understand them, I do not
believe that the plant would grow much faster then they allready do.
Aechmea 'Foster's Favorite Favorite' does several pups each year so you
should be ending up with a whole bunch of plant in a rather short period
of time.
Florida should be the perfect place to grow them outside.

Sorry, that I cannot realy help you, we should be asking one of these
crazy dutchman, who know everything about how to get more in less time.
But so far there isn't one in this forum yet.

Greetz, Timm