Height: 1.5 m.

Excellent ornamental value (A +)

Our philosophy and explanations about this page

INTRODUCTION

Image of Puya venusta

IV Region, Caleta El Teniente, Chile
Altitude: 10-30 m. 09 24, 2006

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Shrub

Flower: Blue, 3 petals

Height: 1.5 m.

Image of Puya venusta

V Region, Pichidangui, Chile
Altitude: 0-50 m. 05 28, 2006

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

Coastal areas, 0 - 500 m

Watering conditions:

Somewhat dry areas where the drought may last 3 - 5 months. Precipitations of 400 - 800 mm. are concentrated in winter.
Dry, arid areas, with long drought periods of 6 - 10 months. Precipitations of 100 mm - 300 mm. are concentrated in winter.

Light conditions:

Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.
Some shadow. Some protection against direct sunlight, some shadow from vegetation, filtering about 20 - 40 % of light.

Image of Puya venusta

IV Region, Caleta El Teniente, Chile
Altitude: 10-30 m. 09 24, 2006

USES

Excellent ornamental value (A +)

Image of Puya venusta

V Region, Pichidangui, Chile
Altitude: 0-50 m. 05 28, 2006

GROWING TIPS

This species has the following hardiness:

USDA Hardiness Zone 10 and 11. The plant does not tolerate freezing.

Very easy to cultivate

This plant is very easy to cultivate. In the first place, the seeds can be stored for long period of times and they germinate very easily. We carried out a germination test with a seed lot which was collected in February of 2006 (the best time for seed collection is around March - April). The germination was carried out in May 2007. The seeds were soaked for 48 hours in tap water (at 12º C), then planted supeficially in 50 % sand - 50 % tierra de hojas. They were kept at +15º - + 18º C and exposed to natural light (sunlight). The germination started on the 5th day, and on the 11th day the germination was over 50 %. In its natural habitat the plant grows in relatively limited conditions (+8 + 24º C, no direct sunlight, no freezing), however, it is very likely that the plant is much more resistant. We have brought a few 1 year and 2 year old plants to Talca, where summer temperatures were above 30º C, and there were freezing spells already. So far the plants are doing well and we will keep checking on that matter to see whether this species may tolerate a wider temperature range. So far the young plants have grown very satisfactorily and doubled the size.

If you are interested in the seeds of this and similar plants, click here.

More photos (5) of Puya venusta Phil. available here  

More species from the same Bromeliaceae family in our data base:

Deuterocohnia chrysantha

Fascicularia bicolor (Puñeñe/Chupón/Chupalla)

Fascicularia litoralis (Puñeñe/Chupón/Chupalla)

Greigia sp. #2764

Greigia sphacelata (Chupón / Quiscal)

Ochagavia carnea (Cardoncillo)

Ochagavia lindleyana

Ochagavia litoralis

Puya berteroniana (Puya/Chagual/Cardon/Magüey)

Puya boliviensis

Puya chilensis (Puya/Chagual)

Puya coerulea (Chagualillo)

Puya coerulea ssp. Santiago

Puya venusta (Chagualillo)

Tillandsia capillaris (Clavel del aire)

Tillandsia geissei