Billbergia Nutans

Also called Queen's Tears.
Blooms every year this time indoors for me. An easy plant to care for. Outside from May until October, does do anything then, just the green grass, then December and most of January watch out.
It is in need of splitting --will do in spring.

I just noticed something now, I will see if I can get my camera to catch it, but as the sunlight is hitting the ends of the flowers there are droplets of sparkly water at the ends, wow first I noticed that, must be where the tears are from.

 

I love them Red and have had them for nearly 30 years now and here in Portugal mine can live outside. I have one huge pot, a very old one with lots of flowers devleoping but the other is in a different location under the Jacaranda and so is behind in its development.

There are several of us who grow it here on GC ... thanks for sharing yours with us ... a most beautiful plant.

 

Thanks Victoria,
Got the shots with the tears. A better camera would do better I think.




And I touched the droplets they are like a syrup.

 

Ok, so I have a question, since others of you have one. As I said earlier, I keep mine outside after the last frost in May and bring it in before the first frost in October, then it blooms in December-January.
So--for those of you who can have it outside all the time---when does it bloom for you???

 

Just to put a couple of pics of mine up from last year ... possibly not my best pics but the easiest to get to ...





DaveP has been one of my sources in later years for these plants but he doesn't visit here often now and I know he grew them outside in Devon for years.

There are many other Billbergias I want to investigate.

 

I have B. Nutans Variegata and put it outside late summer but as we have had temps dipping down to -5c I brought into the utility room as I didn't want to lose it. I don't know whether I will risk it outside again or when it will flower.

Billbergia Windii, Nutans 'big brother/sister is outside and will stay out as I have others if I should lose it . I shall have to wait and see when this one flowers too.
It is all trial and error at the moment.

This was B. Nutans Variegta last spring.

 

Strongy, sorry .. how could I forget you have it also .... :dh: ..... I wouldn't mind a bit of B windii from you as DaveP was going to send some and I think he lost a lot ...

:luv: :thku: in advance :ntwrth::ntwrth::ntwrth:

 

Oh I see it comes variegated leaves, and they look thicker than mine which to me are more spear shaped. I will have to look up the varieties. I am hoping to give the splits away to local folks as its getting pot bound.

 

Vicky, when the weather improves I will divide one up (and Nutans Var) and post some to you..

 

Thank you, strongy ... xx

I meant to say that I have never seen the 'tears' before, lovely photos of it Red, has anyone else? Is it to do with the climate perhaps? Very interesting .. I had wondered about that name.

 

Re-climate. The plant is in my garden room, which is not that warm on the overnight, but warmer when the french doors are open for the day. (The cats sleep in the garden room--doors closed so they don't get on our bed and disturb us). If the temp. is going to be really really cold I turn on an electric heater for the overnight. The room also has windows surround and peak windows up by the ceiling, so well lit. Anyway, back to the tears, they did finally drip out on the floor and it is sticky.
This was the first time I saw the tears, perhaps because the sun it just right and I was sitting there at the right level.
Yes, I too would be interested if others saw the tears.

 

Mine aren't in bud yet Red but when they come out I will look for the tears.

I have an even bigger Billbergia, Pyramidalis Striata from an offset sent from Madeira. It looks like it finally has a bud on the way although this one stays indoors.

 

good Strongylodon. Love to see other tear photos. I did taste the tears, they were sweet. And I am not dead yet.-