Q: My giant bromeliad has finally flowered with a massive spike over 2m tall. Everyone is asking me what it is and does it produce seed. The stem is still growing as I write this but what happens when it finishes flowering?
Ellen G., Birrong NSW
A: Ours took 15 years to flower, so congratulations for your patience. Unless its Brazilian pollinators are about, you are unlikely to get any seed to share. The sad news is it will now slowly die but before that happens, it will produce several pups at ground level, below the apron of leaves. When they are a handspan long carefully remove them from the base with a sharp knife and place upright on sand for 2-3 months. Eventually, they will develop new roots and you can pot them on.
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