{"product_id":"alcantarea-extensa-bromeliad","title":"Giant Bromeliad - Alcantarea extensa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGiant Bromeliad - Alcantarea extensa\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrazilian rock outcrops are where this plant makes sense. \u003cem\u003eAlcantarea extensa\u003c\/em\u003e grows lithophytically on exposed granite, anchoring with a small root system and collecting its water in the central cup formed by the rosette. In an Australian garden that translates into a large, self sufficient sculptural rosette that needs almost no soil, tolerates dry air and wind, and eventually sends up a flower spike well above the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Alcantarea extensa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRosette form\u003c\/strong\u003e: Broad, recurving leaves build a symmetrical bowl close to a metre across.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCup watering\u003c\/strong\u003e: The plant drinks from the central well, so it copes with poor soil and infrequent irrigation.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWind and dry air tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Thick leaves handle exposure that scorches softer tropical foliage.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDramatic flower spike\u003c\/strong\u003e: After many years the rosette lifts a branched spike to around 2m before setting seed.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOffsets replace the parent\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pups form around the base as the flowered rosette declines, so the clump renews itself.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical courtyard\u003c\/strong\u003e: A single rosette gives instant structure among ferns, palms and philodendrons.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWall pockets and rockeries\u003c\/strong\u003e: It grows happily in a crevice with barely any soil, exactly as it does in habitat.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pot\u003c\/strong\u003e: Container culture in a coarse mix suits it and allows repositioning as light changes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Minimal leaf drop and no flowering mess make it a clean choice near water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.2m for a massed group\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring to early autumn in warm conditions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely open, coarse mix of bark, scoria and grit; ordinary garden soil holds too much water around the base\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the central cup topped up with fresh water and flush it occasionally so it does not stagnate. Water the root zone only when it dries out, and shelter the plant from frost, which marks the foliage permanently.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 to 1.2m in leaf, to around 2m in flower\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright filtered light to morning sun\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rocky outcrops of eastern Brazil\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale yellow to cream on a tall spike, after many years\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795278758174,"sku":"ND-0095-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/gLMk4BaMN1_LQ2hyVPmjM_Ew3nOMka.jpg?v=1787312292","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/alcantarea-extensa-bromeliad","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}