AIR PLANTS (TILLANDSIAS)
Tillandsia 'Chiquininga'
5253
A hybrid of (fasciculata x ionantha) made by the late Luis Ariza, well known bromeliad hybridist from the Dominican Republic. This same cross is also known as nidus and ’Fortin Jalapa’ as it has both been crossed by others and is often found occurring naturally wherever both parent species live together. This one was allegedly made with one of the small growing clones of fasciculata native to the D.R.
Tillandsia 'Steve'
5536
A spectacular cross by Steve Correale of (chiapensis x fasciculata ‘Magnificent’) SC. A good blend of the parents; the basic shape of a fasciculata, but with more ‘substance’ and scurffing, like the chiapensis parent. The inflorescence has the shape of the fasciculata, which is an outstanding form native to northern Panama, but is a bit thicker and dusted with the silver thichomes of chiapensis. When well grown, one of the most spectacular of Tillandsias.
Very happy with the plant and bloom, it will look great next to my chiapensis's. Thank You !
Tillandsia chiapensis x rothii
8489
A hybrid that we got from a friend some years ago that is of unknown provenance, to us anyway. It has “the look” of a Steve Correale hybrid but we do not know for sure. This cross was also done by Paul Isley and his cross is named Tillandsia ‘Mr. Mal Mele’, but it is not the same as our plant.
Ours has broad, recurving, silvery leaves and a slightly bulbous base. The leaves blush pinkish on the upper part of the plant at anthesis. The inflorescence is about as tall as the body of the plant overall, with long scape bracts. It bears 6 or more branches that are held upright at a 45-degree angle to the scape. Floral bracts are bright red with some silvery trichomes. Flowers are violet. A very attractive plant with a long-lasting inflorescence.
Tillandsia reichenbachii
296
A small species with twisted foliage and fragrant light blue flowers. Native of Bolivia and Argentina where it grows in small clusters in the arid scrublands. The leaves are silvery, terete and somewhat kinked. Its inflorescence is like that of a streptocarpa, with light blue fragrant flowers. Grow bright and airy for best results.
Tillandsia hammeri
207
An interesting Mexican lithophytic species from Oaxaca where it lives in very arid conditions on rock outcrops. The leaves are very stiff, almost needle-like, about 18 inches long. The habit is like that of Till. juncea, but the foliage is much more robust. Related to T. rodrigueziana.
Tillandsia harrisii
208
THIS PLANT IS ON C.I.T.E.S. AND CANNOT BE EXPORTED
A Guatemalan species to about 8 x 10 inches with lovely thick silvery leaves, a bright red, cylindrical, simple spike and purple flowers. Nice for mounting. Considered an endangered species, is rather rare in nature, but very commonly cultivated. Especially easy to grow, a confidence builder for beginners.
I purchased a nice healthy Tillandsia harrisii and 5 other Tillandsia’s from Tropifora. My favorite Bromeliad nursery since 1989!!
Tillandsia pseudo-floribunda Large form
192
Many years ago I acquired my first specimen of this fine Tillandsia from Fred Fuchs, famed orchid collector and explorer, and never dreamed that I would ever see it growing wild. Years later our explorations took us to the arid scrub forests of western Ecuador and northern Peru where this plant was abundant, often in the crowns of towering Bombax trees.
A beautiful species with rather thin, very dark gray, stiff, almost brittle leaves in a symmetrical open rosette that can reach 18 inches across.
The inflorescence, a tall spike with a cluster of short branches, develops slowly, becoming vivid lacquer red and lasting in color for months.
Tillandsia arequitae x duratii
2697
This is a very odd hybrid that doesn’t much resemble either parent. Assuming that the reported cross is correct, the plant does not have the thick leaves of either parent, the long stem or curled leaves of duratii or an inflorescence resembling either parent in any way. The flowers are large, spreading and light blue, borne on a tall scape with green bracts. The foliage is silvery, stiff, straight and forms a leafy rosette. Whether this hybrid is correctly identified remains a question, at least to me, but does not take away from the fact that this is a handsome plant.
Tillandsia 'Wallu'
3239
An unusual cross of (baileyi x achryostachys) by Patterson. An upright rosette with few leaves, about 12 inches tall. The foliage is narrow, fairly soft and silvery. A simple inflorescence is lanceolate in shape, mostly green but tinted pink.
Tillandsia 'Starburst'
2712
A hybrid of (brachycaulos x schiedeana). Upright to 10 inches, it has rather narrow leaves and an attenuated inflorescence that forms a tightly capitate head. A late-spring bloomer, with rosy-blushing silvery leaves and yellow flowers. This is a very interesting and different-looking plant.
Tillandsia 'Padre'
7345
A beautiful cross by Bob Spivey of (roland-gosselinii x chiapensis). It has the fuzzy, velvety look of chiapensis, but an inflorescence that betrays the cross. A fairly short red scape bearing long branches that are red on bottom and bright green on top, with blue flowers. The foliage is silvery, tinted pinkish in strong light. A real beauty. About 16 to 18 inches wide and nearly as tall when in bloom.