水(shui)塔花原產南美洲熱帶雨林中,多生于樹干,巖石上(shang),在世界各地都有栽培。
草本,莖(jing)極短。葉蓮座狀(zhuang)排列(lie),6-15片(pian)(pian)(pian),闊披針形,長30-45厘(li)米,直立至稍外彎,頂端(duan)鈍而有(you)小銳(rui)尖,基部(bu)闊,邊緣至少在上(shang)半部(bu)有(you)棕(zong)色小刺,上(shang)面綠色,背粉(fen)(fen)(fen)綠。穗(sui)狀(zhuang)花(hua)序直立,略長于(yu)葉;苞片(pian)(pian)(pian)披針形至橢(tuo)圓狀(zhuang)披針形,長5-7厘(li)米,粉(fen)(fen)(fen)紅色;萼片(pian)(pian)(pian)有(you)粉(fen)(fen)(fen)被,暗紅色,長約(yue)(yue)為(wei)花(hua)瓣的1/3,裂(lie)片(pian)(pian)(pian)鈍至短尖;花(hua)瓣紅色,長約(yue)(yue)4厘(li)米,開花(hua)時旋扭;雄蕊比花(hua)瓣短;子房有(you)粉(fen)(fen)(fen)被。
水塔花葉的(de)(de)(de)基部常保持(chi)相當量的(de)(de)(de)水分,雖(sui)在(zai)熱(re)帶(dai)地區(qu)最高溫度的(de)(de)(de)時候(hou),從未(wei)見份量減少或缺(que)少的(de)(de)(de),有些蚊(wen)子專以此為繁殖(zhi)地。
喜溫(wen)(wen)暖、濕潤、半陰環(huan)境。不耐(nai)寒。稍耐(nai)旱。要求(qiu)(qiu)空氣濕度(du)(du)較大,忌強光直射,生長(chang)適(shi)溫(wen)(wen)為(wei)20-28℃。對土質(zhi)要求(qiu)(qiu)不高,適(shi)宜在排(pai)水良好的酸(suan)性砂質(zhi)土中(zhong)生長(chang),以含腐殖質(zhi)豐富、排(pai)水透氣良好的微(wei)酸(suan)性砂質(zhi)壤(rang)土為(wei)好,忌鈣質(zhi)土。最適(shi)生長(chang)溫(wen)(wen)度(du)(du)為(wei)25℃,越冬氣溫(wen)(wen)不得(de)低于10℃。
鳳梨(li)栽(zai)植土以(yi)選用疏松的(de)泥炭(tan)土,腐殖(zhi)土,樹蕨碎渣混合(he)培(pei)養土為(wei)好。家庭栽(zai)培(pei),盆(pen)(pen)土最好用腐葉(xie)(xie)土加(jia)(jia)少量園(yuan)田(tian)土,或用泥炭(tan)土和珍(zhen)珠巖各(ge)半(ban)混合(he)。也可選用草炭(tan)土2份加(jia)(jia)入細沙1份混合(he),配制成(cheng)培(pei)養土。鳳梨(li)科植物原為(wei)寄生植物,根(gen)(gen)系不(bu)夠發達,無主根(gen)(gen),只有小而短的(de)根(gen)(gen)系,有些根(gen)(gen)還(huan)喜歡接觸空氣,故用小盆(pen)(pen)、淺盆(pen)(pen)栽(zai)植會(hui)比(bi)用大(da)盆(pen)(pen)、深盆(pen)(pen)的(de)生長(chang)發育得更好。切忌施過多的(de)肥料,以(yi)防根(gen)(gen)系腐爛,葉(xie)(xie)子發黃,應(ying)以(yi)稀薄肥水施之(zhi)。
鳳梨(li)科植物(wu)喜高溫(wen)、濕潤(run)、半蔭的(de)習慣(guan),適合(he)放(fang)置在(zai)(zai)溫(wen)暖、明亮(liang)的(de)室內(nei)半陰通風處(chu),取(qu)散(san)射(she)(she)光(guang)(guang)照蒔養。冬季可以(yi)全日(ri)照,春秋早晚應有光(guang)(guang)照,夏季不(bu)要(yao)(yao)陽(yang)光(guang)(guang)直射(she)(she)。光(guang)(guang)線(xian)明亮(liang),葉面(mian)色澤(ze)鮮艷(yan)。越冬溫(wen)度以(yi)不(bu)低于10℃為宜,高于20℃以(yi)上(shang),不(bu)利于植株休眠(mian)(mian),會(hui)影響來年生長。在(zai)(zai)日(ri)常(chang)管護中應避(bi)免(mian)強光(guang)(guang)照射(she)(she),強光(guang)(guang)易(yi)使(shi)葉片受灼(zhuo),出現(xian)(xian)雜斑;但注意不(bu)要(yao)(yao)長久(jiu)放(fang)在(zai)(zai)過陰處(chu),葉片美麗的(de)色澤(ze)常(chang)因(yin)之變(bian)淺變(bian)淡,造成觀(guan)賞上(shang)的(de)遺(yi)憾。在(zai)(zai)氣候干旱,悶熱,溫(wen)度低的(de)情(qing)況下(xia),鳳梨(li)的(de)葉緣及葉尖極易(yi)出現(xian)(xian)焦枯現(xian)(xian)象(xiang),因(yin)此要(yao)(yao)保持盆(pen)(pen)土濕潤(run)。從(cong)春末至秋季的(de)生長期,可適當增加澆水量,葉筒(tong)中也可灌些清水,要(yao)(yao)半月換水一次,以(yi)免(mian)水變(bian)質發臭。常(chang)噴葉面(mian)水。冬季盆(pen)(pen)土干些為宜,但不(bu)宜過干。在(zai)(zai)5-9月,每周施(shi)氮肥(fei)一次,花(hua)(hua)前適當增施(shi)磷、鉀肥(fei),以(yi)促花(hua)(hua)大色艷(yan)。開花(hua)(hua)時,筒(tong)內(nei)不(bu)要(yao)(yao)灌水,存放(fang)在(zai)(zai)避(bi)日(ri)光(guang)(guang)處(chu),能(neng)延長花(hua)(hua)期。花(hua)(hua)后進(jin)入休眠(mian)(mian)期,須將花(hua)(hua)梗剪除,以(yi)減少養分的(de)消(xiao)耗。冬季不(bu)要(yao)(yao)在(zai)(zai)筒(tong)內(nei)灌水。
鳳梨在冬季是開花(hua)期,要求有(you)足(zu)夠的(de)(de)(de)肥料,通常(chang)每(mei)兩周施用(yong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)次(ci)稀(xi)薄有(you)機液(ye)肥,例如(ru)豆餅(bing)、麻醬渣浸(jin)泡液(ye)(濃(nong)度為20%為宜(yi)),也可用(yong)黃豆浸(jin)泡液(ye)或經過(guo)發(fa)酵的(de)(de)(de)淘米水。鳳梨一(yi)(yi)(yi)生只開花(hua)一(yi)(yi)(yi)次(ci),花(hua)后(hou)會在老(lao)植株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)基(ji)部長出(chu)一(yi)(yi)(yi)至(zhi)數枚(mei)分(fen)(fen)孽芽(ya)(ya),此時不(bu)宜(yi)過(guo)早分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)。否(fou)則不(bu)易成活(huo),分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)的(de)(de)(de)方法是:先從(cong)基(ji)部剪去花(hua)莖,再將(jiang)老(lao)植株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)葉(xie)片留(liu)下5-8厘米,其余全部剔除,留(liu)下的(de)(de)(de)葉(xie)片基(ji)部正(zheng)好形成一(yi)(yi)(yi)個筒狀可貯水,剪時千萬不(bu)要碰傷小芽(ya)(ya)。待(dai)芽(ya)(ya)高10厘米左右(you),再用(yong)利(li)刀輕輕從(cong)芽(ya)(ya)和母株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)連(lian)接處(chu)切(qie)開,將(jiang)小芽(ya)(ya)栽(zai)入用(yong)腐葉(xie)土(tu)配成的(de)(de)(de)盆土(tu)中,精(jing)心養護一(yi)(yi)(yi)年后(hou),又能(neng)開出(chu)艷麗的(de)(de)(de)花(hua)朵。另外結合春季換盆,切(qie)取(qu)母株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)塊(kuai)莖部分(fen)(fen)長出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)小塊(kuai)莖扦插,或用(yong)老(lao)植株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)根部萌發(fa)出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)長了根的(de)(de)(de)嫩芽(ya)(ya)分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu),都要避蔭保濕保溫(wen),當根系長至(zhi)2——3厘米時,即(ji)可定植。如(ru)果栽(zai)培得法,一(yi)(yi)(yi)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)母珠每(mei)年大約能(neng)繁殖10株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)左右(you)。
市(shi)場(chang)上(shang)用(yong)(yong)于觀(guan)賞(shang)的(de)(de)鳳(feng)(feng)梨(li)(li)(li)(li)(li)多為雜交(jiao)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),在(zai)自然狀(zhuang)態下(xia)很(hen)(hen)難(nan)獲得種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi),就是通過人工授粉等方法獲得種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi),其后(hou)代的(de)(de)性(xing)狀(zhuang)也會(hui)發(fa)生(sheng)分(fen)離,不能(neng)(neng)保持母株(zhu)的(de)(de)優良(liang)性(xing)狀(zhuang),故播(bo)(bo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)繁殖只在(zai)原生(sheng)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)質(zhi)保存和培育新品(pin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)時(shi)采用(yong)(yong)。大(da)多數觀(guan)賞(shang)鳳(feng)(feng)梨(li)(li)(li)(li)(li)的(de)(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)在(zai)脫(tuo)離母體后(hou)很(hen)(hen)快會(hui)失去活力,應(ying)即采即播(bo)(bo)。鳳(feng)(feng)梨(li)(li)(li)(li)(li)從開(kai)(kai)花(hua)至種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)成熟(shu)一(yi)般需要3-4個(ge)月的(de)(de)時(shi)間(jian)。鳳(feng)(feng)梨(li)(li)(li)(li)(li)的(de)(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)很(hen)(hen)小,一(yi)個(ge)果實可(ke)產(chan)生(sheng)數十粒種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi),1株(zhu)可(ke)產(chan)生(sheng)上(shang)千粒種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)。鳳(feng)(feng)梨(li)(li)(li)(li)(li)的(de)(de)播(bo)(bo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)方法可(ke)采用(yong)(yong)室內盆播(bo)(bo)或育苗盤(pan)播(bo)(bo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。播(bo)(bo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)基質(zhi)可(ke)采用(yong)(yong)河沙、珍珠(zhu)巖和泥炭(tan)土混合,播(bo)(bo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)前必須高溫消(xiao)毒。將種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)散(san)播(bo)(bo)于基質(zhi)表面后(hou)輕(qing)壓一(yi)下(xia),不需覆(fu)土,蓋上(shang)塑(su)料薄(bo)膜(mo)或玻璃保濕即可(ke)。在(zai)發(fa)芽(ya)適溫24℃-26℃的(de)(de)條(tiao)件下(xia),約7-14天發(fa)芽(ya),實生(sheng)苗具3-4片真(zhen)葉時(shi)可(ke)移植于4-5厘米的(de)(de)花(hua)盆中(zhong)。鳳(feng)(feng)梨(li)(li)(li)(li)(li)的(de)(de)播(bo)(bo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)苗需培養3-4年后(hou)中(zhong)心葉才(cai)能(neng)(neng)轉色并開(kai)(kai)花(hua)供觀(guan)賞(shang)。
分株(zhu)繁(fan)(fan)殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)常(chang)在春季進(jin)行(xing)。觀賞鳳梨母(mu)(mu)株(zhu)在開花前后基部或葉片之間能抽出蘗(bo)芽(ya)(ya),而母(mu)(mu)株(zhu)則不能繼續生長而死亡(wang),利用(yong)蘗(bo)芽(ya)(ya)能進(jin)行(xing)分株(zhu)繁(fan)(fan)殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)和(he)扦插繁(fan)(fan)殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),有(you)根的蘗(bo)芽(ya)(ya)可直接上盆(pen),稱(cheng)為分株(zhu)繁(fan)(fan)殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。
無根(gen)(gen)的(de)(de)需進(jin)行(xing)扦(qian)(qian)插繁(fan)殖(zhi)。分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)繁(fan)殖(zhi)和扦(qian)(qian)插繁(fan)殖(zhi)常在春(chun)季(ji)進(jin)行(xing),高溫(wen)期間(jian)分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)的(de)(de)成活(huo)(huo)率較低。扦(qian)(qian)插時(shi)(shi),當蘗(bo)(bo)芽(ya)8-10厘米時(shi)(shi)割下(xia),插入腐葉土和粗沙各半(ban)的(de)(de)基質中,保持室(shi)溫(wen)25℃-28℃,約30-40天可生根(gen)(gen),50-60天能上盆栽(zai)(zai)(zai)培。掰下(xia)蘗(bo)(bo)芽(ya)的(de)(de)母(mu)(mu)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)經養植后還可再長2-3批蘗(bo)(bo)芽(ya)。要(yao)使(shi)母(mu)(mu)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)多長蘗(bo)(bo)芽(ya),必須養護恰當,最(zui)好地栽(zai)(zai)(zai),經常施肥,并給(gei)以較充足的(de)(de)光照。另外,鳳梨蘗(bo)(bo)芽(ya)分(fen)(fen)切的(de)(de)遲早與(yu)繁(fan)殖(zhi)系數有較大關系。分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)越(yue)遲,子株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)越(yue)大,成活(huo)(huo)率越(yue)高,子株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)生長也越(yue)快,但分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)過遲時(shi)(shi),也會影響母(mu)(mu)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)進(jin)一步繁(fan)殖(zhi)新芽(ya)。分(fen)(fen)株(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)苗栽(zai)(zai)(zai)培2-3年即(ji)可開(kai)花。
觀賞鳳(feng)梨(li)的(de)(de)(de)分(fen)株繁(fan)殖,繁(fan)殖速度(du)慢(man),獲(huo)得(de)的(de)(de)(de)種(zhong)苗數量小(xiao),大小(xiao)不(bu)整齊(qi),商(shang)業化栽(zai)培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)品種(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)大規模繁(fan)殖多(duo)采(cai)用組織(zhi)培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)養(yang)法。觀賞鳳(feng)梨(li)的(de)(de)(de)組織(zhi)快(kuai)繁(fan)多(duo)以(yi)蘗(bo)芽的(de)(de)(de)莖頂組織(zhi)為(wei)材料,經(jing)常(chang)規消毒后接種(zhong)在添加(jia)6-芐氨基(ji)腺嘌呤(6-BA)4毫(hao)(hao)克/升(sheng)和吲哚乙(yi)酸0.1毫(hao)(hao)克/升(sheng)(NAA)的(de)(de)(de)MS培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)養(yang)基(ji)上(shang),30-40天(tian)可形成不(bu)定(ding)芽。通過液(ye)體振蕩(dang)培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)養(yang)方式有利于提(ti)高不(bu)定(ding)芽的(de)(de)(de)誘導率,每個莖頂組織(zhi)在培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)養(yang)50-60天(tian)時能(neng)獲(huo)得(de)6-10個不(bu)定(ding)芽。將生成的(de)(de)(de)不(bu)定(ding)芽切割后在相(xiang)同的(de)(de)(de)培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)養(yang)基(ji)上(shang)能(neng)進行(xing)增(zeng)殖,每次(ci)增(zeng)殖速度(du)視品種(zhong)而異,大約為(wei)3-6倍。當(dang)增(zeng)殖到一定(ding)的(de)(de)(de)數量后可再轉移到添加(jia)吲哚乙(yi)酸0.2毫(hao)(hao)克/升(sheng)的(de)(de)(de)1/2MS培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)養(yang)基(ji)上(shang),約20-25天(tian)誘導出新根,成為(wei)完整的(de)(de)(de)小(xiao)植株。當(dang)組織(zhi)苗長(chang)至3-5厘米時,將其(qi)(qi)移入栽(zai)培(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)場或常(chang)溫下(xia)進行(xing)練苗,使其(qi)(qi)逐漸適(shi)應外(wai)界環境,以(yi)提(ti)高組織(zhi)苗移植的(de)(de)(de)成活率。
經過(guo)約20天左右的(de)練苗(miao)后,可(ke)出(chu)瓶(ping)栽(zai)(zai)培(pei)(pei)。出(chu)瓶(ping)時,應洗出(chu)試管苗(miao)根部(bu)的(de)培(pei)(pei)養基。栽(zai)(zai)培(pei)(pei)基質(zhi)可(ke)采用細蛇(she)木屑和泥炭土的(de)混合基質(zhi),移栽(zai)(zai)后保(bao)持適當的(de)溫度和濕度,成活率可(ke)達90%以上。4-6周后能長(chang)出(chu)新根。大多數的(de)觀(guan)賞鳳梨都(dou)可(ke)以通過(guo)組織培(pei)(pei)養生(sheng)產(chan)種(zhong)苗(miao),但對于某(mou)些斑葉(xie)品種(zhong),如斑葉(xie)鸚歌鳳梨等,采用組織方式繁殖時,其后代(dai)斑點或條紋往往會消失,降低觀(guan)賞價值,故(gu)應以分株繁殖為主。
水(shui)(shui)塔(ta)花植(zhi)株(zhu)矮小,葉叢中心筒內常貯(zhu)有水(shui)(shui),好似水(shui)(shui)塔(ta),在熱帶地區最高溫度的時(shi)候,從(cong)未見份量(liang)減(jian)少(shao)或缺少(shao)的,有些蚊子(zi)專以此(ci)為繁(fan)殖地,別有風趣。
水塔(ta)花株叢青翠,花色艷麗(li),是(shi)良好的盆栽(zai)花卉(hui)。盛(sheng)開的水塔(ta)花是(shi)點綴(zhui)陽臺、廳室的佳品。