Care of the shrub Puya chilensis or Chilean Puya |
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The genus Puya, family Bromeliaceae, comprises 23 species of bromeliads native to the Andes and Central America. Some species are: Puya chilensis, Puya x berteroniana, Puya venusta, Puya alpestris, Puya boliviensis, Puya raimondii. Common name: Chilean Puya. This species is native to Chile. They are very slow-growing plants that form rosettes of long, thin leaves with thorny edges. The flower spike reaches 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height and takes more than 20 years to bloom; the flowers are greenish yellow. They are used in gardens with a Mediterranean climate in rockery, on borders, in groups or as isolated specimens and as indoor plants when they are very young. The Puya chilensis needs exposure to full sun or light shade. They resist not very intense frosts. The soil must be well drained and not chalky. Water moderately all year round, increasing irrigation in summer. They are drought resistant plants. They do not need pruning or fertilizers. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the shrub Puya chilensis or Chilean Puya |
 Puya chilensis  Puya chilensis  Puya chilensis  Puya chilensis  Puya chilensis  Puya chilensis  Puya venusta  Puya alpestris ssp zoellneri  Puya boliviensis |