Neoregelia Greenball

Neoregelia Fireball is a well-known cultivar with a small size and stoloniferous growth habit (it puts out long stolons between growths). Neoregelia Greenball, also known as “Fireball Green-Form” and other similar names, is a cultivar that was discovered in the wilds of Brazil and shares all the size and growth characteristics of Fireball (which also lacks taxonomic placement). This variety flushes cardinal red in the center when blooming.

Being mainly light or lime green, with maroon to purple bases on the leaves when kept under good light, at first glance this seems like bromeliad that most frog enthusiasts would avoid…it’s “bland” compared to many of the gaudy hybrids available to vivarium scapers. But consider this: aren’t the frogs supposed to be the stars of the show? Plus, look at how the subtle beauty of this bromeliad reveals itself when alongside others of its kind. Repetition is an important aspect of creating a natural outcome, so using multiples of this form together will get you there with refinement.

General Neoregelia Care Information

Summarizing many different sources, Neoregelia Bromeliads are usually grown mounted (epiphytically), although they can be potted in well-draining substrates. There are many ways to mount a bromeliad, the main goal is to prevent movement until new roots can firmly anchor the plant.

On the whole, these tropical plants appreciate humidity and tropical temperatures. Their central “tank” or water storage cup should be periodically flushed with fresh water. They also appreciate air movement. Strong lighting combined with minimal nutrient availability produces the best color (aka. “growing hard”); coloration will vary in the plants you receive and will change depending on your growing conditions.

Bromeliads produce “pups”, asexually-produced new growths on stolons which ultimately grow into another mature plant. Individual Neoregelia growths can last up to 3-4 years; they will bloom only once (typically small purple flowers that are held within the central cup), and start to fade and die thereafter, leaving behind their pups. Buying pups means the plants you receive are younger and will last longer, while larger plants offer instant gratification and will get you to the pupping stage sooner. General recommendations are that pups should not be removed until they are half the size of the mother plant, and removing pups can encourage more to be produced during the lifespan of the mother plant.

About MiniWaters Vivarium Plants

Any plant whose cultivation condition is denoted as “sanitized” has been put through MiniWater’s bleach treatment and have been held in animal-free conditions following this treatment. While we do not guarantee our plants to be disease and pest free, we believe we are offering the lowest-risk plants possible. We encourage all customers to sanitize any plants they purchase from us, or any other vendor or hobbyist, prior to their use with your animals.

Visit www.MiniWaters.fish/vivplants for further details about how we grow our plants animal-free with organic methodologies while integrated pest management protocols, as well as detailed instructions for our bleach-sanitizing process.