Tillies

[wisdomseeker]

I think my Tillandsia collection must be sensing "spring" is just around the corner. Thought I would share some pictures of a few that are in bloom, in bud, or throwing a spike.

T. stricta (soft grey form)


T. brachycaulos


T. aeranthos


T. comarapaensis


T. ionantha (Mexico)


T. concolor


T. ionantha cv. (Rubra small-form)


T. ixioides x aeranthos


T. ionantha fuego x stricta


T. ionantha cv. (Druid)


T. ionantha cv. (Peach)


And some foliage, just for good measure...

[Dollythehun]

Very lovely! An interesting assortment.

[MrHappyRotter]

I really love Tillandsias as well, and yours are great. I like the types that produce inflorescences and spikes. It's nice to have companion plants for the orchids that don't take up much space, granted a couple of the species I grow are just as large if not larger than the orchids they grow with.

[DeaC]

Have never grown these but your collection is joyful to look at.If they sense spring then so will I.

[wisdomseeker]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

I really love Tillandsias as well, and yours are great. I like the types that produce inflorescences and spikes. It's nice to have companion plants for the orchids that don't take up much space, granted a couple of the species I grow are just as large if not larger than the orchids they grow with.

They are fun plants to work with, and they are great orchid companions. I too like the varieties that produce spikes with floral bracts... but always had a weakness for ionantha with their short inflorescenes & 'mainly' violet flowers, along with the intense blushing that occurs before flowering. It's amazing how large the flower spikes can get on some species (eg., T. jalisco-monticola throwing spikes around 2ft. or more). The pseudoviviparious Tillies have always fascinated me by producing vegetative pups on the inflorescence and base of the plant (e.g., T. intermedia).

What species (and/or cultivars, hybrids) are you growing?

[No-Pro-mwa]

Nice, I have 2 but they are not happy.

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by wisdomseeker

What species (and/or cultivars, hybrids) are you growing?

I have a number of stricta varieties and hybrids (they're easy to grow and bloom), cyanea (can't beat the display on that and lovely fragrant blooms) as well as things like fuchsii, variabilis, ixioides, diaguitensis, usneoides, and a several others I've forgotten the names of or which are NOIDs.

[wisdomseeker]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Nice, I have 2 but they are not happy.

Sorry to hear that. My Tillandsia seem to do really well, especially when grown indoors. I guess it all boils down to growing conditions. Kind of like orchids... provide them with what they need and they will reward you. I use to grow my Tillies outdoors and inside a small outdoor greenhouse. Most did well, but was confronted with assorted problems by doing so (the seasonal swings: temperature/humidity/light-no light, pests, etc.). Indoors, my plants are in controlled growing conditions - and those conditions are very consistent. Plants are happy, and more importantly they behave (quite different from outdoors). I also grow a few Cattleyas indoors under high light. I try not to waste space or light photons, so I grow Tillies with the Catts.

A couple species that do very well under high light with the orchids (in order: T. chiapensis, T. houston cv, T. tectorum, T. glabrior, T. didisticha)







A few indoor "Tillandsia only" growing enclosures

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

I have a number of stricta varieties and hybrids (they're easy to grow and bloom), cyanea (can't beat the display on that and lovely fragrant blooms) as well as things like fuchsii, variabilis, ixioides, diaguitensis, usneoides, and a several others I've forgotten the names of or which are NOIDs.

Sounds like a nice diverse collection. Are you growing them indoors or outdoors?

[Paul]

I have a few tillies as well. Hard part is finding ones that will stay small at a price I am willing to pay. Most of mine were the result of plant trades which is a nice "thrifty" way to go about it.

[No-Pro-mwa]

They sure are pretty. I'm sure one problem is my humidity or lack there of.