Puya sp. (Rio Pachachaca) - A terrestrial bromeliad that forms clumps of 2 foot wide relatively open rosettes of narrow powdery-blue gray leaves that reflex downwards with age and tall unbranched 5 foot tall spikes bearing greenish yellow flowers in the spring.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate very little to none. This plant is native to a relatively high elevation but between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator so, while likely is hardy to frost and possibly very hardy, its ultimate hardiness is yet unknown.
Our plants are grown from seed collected by past CSSA president Greg Dechirico from Rio Pachachaca, Peru. Plants were growing along the steep roadside in rocky soil adjacent to the Rio Pachachaca at around 8,000 feet in elevation northeast of the town of Chalhuanca. We sold this plant from 2012 to 2014.
The information about Puya sp. "Rio Pachachaca" displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |