Unless Emily has confirmed there are actually 2 separate plants and not 2 branches masquerading as trunks, which are connected below the soil line, we probably shouldn't take for granted there are 2 plants. Even if there were 2 plants, it doesn't look at all like there would be the kind of competition between plants of the same species such that one would be genetically vigorous enough to hog resources to the point it would create deficiencies sufficient to manifest a steep decline in the other. I mean, there are no roots crawling over the surface of the soil, and there is no disparity in size that could suggest a larger, taller plant might be shading out its shorter, smaller counterpart - so what competition? It's not unusual for one or 2 roots to be negatively affected by disease while other roots in the same pot or even on the same plant are better able to cope with less than ideal soil conditions. The result is often the death or decline of 1 plant in a group planting or one branch on a tree. Roots do have very specific connections to individual branches such that the death of a root can almost automatically mean the death of one branch. The 1 root to 1 branch connection is so strong in Thuja occidentalis (eastern white cedar) that when the center of old trees rot completely away, you can often observe several live veins growing from thick roots, each supporting only 1 branch. Most observers would think they were observing a ring of unusually shaped trees if they came upon this interesting occurrence in nature. Given the volume of soil available for root colonization, I just can't see it being a case of one plant outcompeting another, if in fact there really are 2 different plants. I'm pretty close to certain the issue is related to root health. Al

Hi everyone, let me say firstly, I have no experience with growing bromeliad plants inside the house, so I can’t support the following suggestions with experience and for that reason they are just my own ideas of possible solutions. Shezzypie – It seems you are doing things right otherwise your plants wouldn’t be looking as good as they do. I’m not familiar with your growing conditions, but it seems to me by your pictures, you and Kim are probably both growing your plants inside; is this correct? If so, this could be the reason the leaves are a bit droopy. No matter how well you imitate the natural conditions, in my opinion, they aren’t as good as the benefit you get from natural external sunlight. An old nurseryman once told me, “there’s no such thing as an indoor plant”; he said there are plants that can be brought indoors, but to grow properly, they still need time outside in the natural elements to harden them up. Let me also hasten to add that he was talking about conditions in Australia on the east coast where I live. No matter where the plant is grown, usually long leaves (which will droop because of their length and weight) are a result of them reaching out looking for better, stronger light, but this doesn’t necessarily mean full sun as this could burn them in some climates. On the other hand, because Aechmea fasciata has been tissue cultured so many times, this may also just be a natural feature of this particular clone and will continue no matter where you grow it. Kim – The problem with your plant maybe a combination of water and cold; even though your plant is inside, often the temperature close to a window is much colder than the rest of the room as the cold can penetrate the glass, especially so in very cold weather. Just put a thermometer near your plant and see what the temperature is compared to other areas of the house, especially at night and the early hours of the morning. Do you have a curtain you pull across at night to help keep the cold out? Although the natural cycle is for brom’s to pup after flowering, they can pup before flowering as well. They will also pup if they are stressed in any way as this triggers the survival mechanism within the plant and because it thinks it’s going to die, it goes into reproduction mode to preserve the species. As I said previously, I’m not experienced in the area of indoor growing; so you are probably better off getting advice from people who are more experienced at growing plants inside, especially in your own area. All the best, Nev.

From the pic it looks like the wilted leaves are on one side. Is that so? It could be a case of too much light along with cool soil. Just a thought. It has a name too - winter leaf drop. Although, in my case I notice it more in late spring when I start taking my plants outside.

Perhaps has outgrown the pot, which is no longer big enough for plant to get by with same watering frequency. Also most tropical house plants need a lot more watering during the summer growing period than during the winter, when they will often just sit there. And may really need very little watering, depending on the kind. Another thing that happens over time is the moisture retentive organic component in soil-less potting media breaking down and disappearing, to leave behind sand or other mineral ingredients as the dominant material. Material that doesn't retain much water. Or maybe the newest leaves are kind of stretched out and flabby due to the light exposure in the current situation.