The bloomed plants will decline. As they turn brown..trim those away to make room for the new plants they produce or repot it

That Guzmania doesn't need any dirt but you can plant them in some well drained potting mix if you want to take them inside eventually.

Forgive my lack of knowledge...I'm trying to get up to speed here. When you say the bloomed plants will decline, I take it that the colored end is a bloom? It looks just like the rest of the plant with the exception of the color. As far as trimming the dying parts away, should I just cut the leaf off of the stalk, pull it off by hand or do you mean remove the entire stalk as it turns brown?

Gradually cut away the brown leaves and bloom head when it turns brown. The bloom head on your plant looks like it was some how damaged and might not ever open the time flowers. See link below

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:479120}}

I would re-pot it or move it off the deck. You have at least two Guzmanias there, I would split them in two and repot in a one part fine bark one part potting mix (there are a thousand differant variations) at least that will cut down on the dirt on the back deck.

It is likely that it will produce three to six more pups (offspring) once it stops flowering - it is one gift that keeps on giving. Being a Guzmania a little Osmocote fertiliser would probably do it some good down the track as well.

Enjoy.

Rick

Rick,
Please excuse the dumb question. I was told to water into the cup of the guzmania. If so, how do I administer NPK slow-release pellets? I also have orchid fertilizer, which I can dilute as necessary and possibly add to the water before I pour into the cup?
My plant has been surviving and growing for a year without any fert. whatsoever. But now I feel the urge to repot and start fertilizing.
Judy

Top dress the fertilzer to the growing medium you are using at the base of the plant

Judy,

No such thing as a dumb question here except maybe some of the ones I've posted.

Re-reading my post, I meant to say that your Guzmania is growing quite well, you don't need to fertilise it but Guzmanias don't mind a little fertiliser.

I would divide the plant up but that comes down to personal preference, the pups can typically be removed when they are about one third the size of the mother plant - doing that will encourage the plant to produce more pups.

There is a wealth of information hidden in the back post of this forum, you can search or just work your way through the back posts.

Your orchid fertiliser would be OK diluted.

Rick

Here is a link that might be useful: Fertiliser debate