Cactus2005, your plant is actually not carnivorous. If an insect happens to fall into it's cup and dies, the organic matter of it MIGHT be utilized in some small way by the bromeliad. A species of Brochinia from Venezuela is also reported to be 'carnivorous'. Catopsis are epiphytic by nature but can be grown in a mix similar to green tillandsias---50% orchid bark and 50% potting soil with peat.

Thanks for the information; I appreciate it. Are you currently growing one?

I've grown several species of Catopsis in the past, but quite honestly, they don't do much for me. Their blossoms aren't high on the 'WoW'-meter.

I grow mine in hanging baskets. One thing they dont tolerate in the growing season is drying out. I agree with Gonz on the potting medium but go light on the bark if the plant is indoors all the time. Needs alot of bright filtered light too.

Thanks for the replies.

Minxie, you said to go light on the orchid bark mix--why is that? Also, I have a phobia about using just peat and bark as this mix seems like it could become too dense over time. How does a 1:1:1 perlite:peat:bark mix sound?

If you don't mind, I have a few other questions for you nice folks:

1. Watering: Should the mix be constantly moist, or should it dry slightly between waterings?

2. Dormancy: Minxie, you mentioned an active growing period. My understanding is that these plants are tropical and as such, don't have a dormancy? Is this correct?

3. Fertilizer: I plan on fertilizing once every four waterings with a 1/2 strength water-soluable orchid fertilizer. Does this sound good?

4. Miscellaneous: Any other cultivation advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you both again for your replies.

The bark dries out indoors and holds salts. Bark also doesnt decompose and break down like it does outdoors. I dont fertilize but once in the spring with Osmocote time release(feeds 9 months). Evenly moist to slight drying but needs to be flushed with lots of water monthly to get rid of salts and mineral build up(unless you have a filter on your water source). I use peat, perlite, black humus mix and ground fir bark. Mine are outdoors 10 months a year. Indoor and growing are different.

Here is a website which gives the facts "justifying" the designation of these two bromeliads as carnivorous. You can judge for yourself whether they meet the criteria.

Here is a link that might be useful: bromeliad biota

Minxie: Thanks for the cultivation tips. I use distilled water on my finiky plants, so I'll do the same with catopsis. It'll be growing indoors year-round so based on your reply, I'll use 1:1:1 bark:perlite:peat to balance between loose soil and need for moisture. I would imagine that the bark not decomposing is a good thing--isn't the bark used to make the mix more porous?

PenGoff: Thanks for the link, I previously read it. However, I don't have access to the primary literature so I'll have to go out on a limb and say that based on what's been presented "this plant seems to derive more nutrients from insects than most other bromeliads." I think this is a fair assessment.

Bark is for orchids mainly growing in open wood frame baskets. They get flushed regarly. Not the same for indoor pot. Decomposition is a good thing..its natures way

PenGoff, thanks for that valuable info. Puts to rest any misconceptions.

Depending on your (much controversial) definition of a carnivorous plant...then it can be carnivourous.

My definition is

1) Has to catch its prey by design not accident e.g. using a lure such as nectar...This it does...

2) It has to have some means of keeping/trapping/retaining the insects/food it catches....It has a pool of water....

3) It has to have some means of taking in the nutrients into the plant...This it does with its leaves once the insects have decayed.