Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’

A Cryptanthus hybrid from two cultivated parents

J. Irvin raised ‘Strawberries Flambe’ from ‘Diverse Pink’ as the seed parent and ‘Cascade’ as the pollen parent. Both parents are cultivated selections, so the hybrid carries the genus-level name Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’ without a single wild-species placement.

Cryptanthus is native to Brazil. ‘Strawberries Flambe’ is a horticultural cross that exists only in cultivation, carrying the Brazilian background of the genus without forming a separate wild population.

Care for bromeliad rosettes

Watering beneath a flat strawberry-red rosette

Water Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’ when the upper layer of the substrate is dry and the shallow mix underneath remains slightly moist. As a terrestrial bromeliad it should not hold a permanent pool in the central rosette.

Light

Give Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’ strong filtered light immediately beside an east-facing window or a little back from a brighter south or west exposure. A little morning sun is acceptable after acclimation, but strong midday or afternoon rays can bleach the low rosette and leave crisp tan bands.

Temperature

Stable indoor warmth supports the rosette and developing pups of Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’.

Separating pups after the parent fills the pot

A crowded rim of pups, a lifting rosette, compacted mix or roots filling the shallow container are all repotting cues for the plant. Work while the plant is growing, keep the base at its old level and separate only a well-rooted pup.

Checking the rosette of Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’

The strawberry-red and cream rosette looks bleached

Harsh direct sun can wash the narrow leaves and leave dry pale patches, while very low light produces a duller, greener star. Move the plant gradually to bright filtered light and judge undamaged new growth. Its red, pink, cream and green mix is normal; irregular colour alone is not a deficiency.

Toothed leaf edges turn brown and curl

The many fine teeth show a dry root ball, hot sun or fertiliser residue quickly. Check moisture within the terrestrial potting mix, water thoroughly if it is dry throughouting and flush excess salts. Keep the rosette out of harsh rays. Old serrated edges will remain brown after conditions improve.

The centre of the earth star pulls loose

A loose, dark or foul-smelling centre is consistent with crown rot, often after cold saturated conditions or water has remained among damaged central leaves. Remove decayed tissue, keep the crown clean and improve drainage and warmth. If softness has reached the short stem and several leaf bases, save only firm offsets.

The mother rosette declines while small stars appear

Cryptanthus rosettes eventually decline after flowering while producing offsets. This is normal when the parent fades slowly and the pups stay firm. Continue caring for the shared roots until offsets are established, then separate if desired. A rapid wet collapse before or without flowering should be treated as rot.

Cryptanthus ‘Strawberries Flambe’ has sharp parts

• Keep this plant away from children and pets because its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear.
• Sharp spines or rigid plant parts can puncture the mouth, eyes, skin or paws.
• Handle it carefully. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after a serious injury, especially to the eye.

The meaning and history of Cryptanthus

Cryptanthus combines Greek kryptos, meaning hidden, with anthos, meaning flower.

Christoph Friedrich Otto and Albert Gottfried Dietrich established the genus Cryptanthus in 1836 in Allgemeine Gartenzeitung, volume 4, page 298.