Tillandsia

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The plant genus Tillandsia, a member of the Bromeliad family Bromeliaceae, is found in the deserts, forests and mountains of Central and South America, and Mexico and the southern United States in North America. The thinner leafed varieties grow in rainy areas and the thick leafed varieties in areas more subject to drought. Nutrients are gathered from the air (dust, decaying leaves and insect matter) through structures on the leaves called trichomes. Tillandsia species are epiphytes, i.e. in nature they normally grow on other plants, without being parasitic, and they grow without soil, growing instead on trees, rocks and cliffs.

Reproduction is by offsets called "pups". A single plant could have a dozen pups which can be removed and grown alone or left to form a colony.

The genus Tillandsia was named by Carolus Linnaeus after the Finnish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640-1693).

Species

There are about 400 species, including:

Tillandsia aeranthos
Tillandsia araujei : Sao Paulo Air Plant
Tillandsia baileyi Rose ex Small : Spindle Airplant, Reflexed Airplant
Tillandsia balbisiana J.A. & J.H. Schultes : Northern Needleleaf
Tillandsia bartramii Ell. : Bartram's Airplant
Tillandsia bulbosa Hook. : Bulbous Airplant
Tillandsia caput-medusae : Octopus Plant
Tillandsia circinnata
Tillandsia cyanea : Pink Quill
Tillandsia dyeriana : False Vriesea
Tillandsia excelsa : Piño
Tillandsia fasciculata Sw. : Giant Airplant
Tillandsia festucoides Brongn. ex Mez : Fescue Airplant
Tillandsia flabellata : Candelabrum Plant
Tillandsia flexuosa Sw. : Twisted Airplant
Tillandsia insignis
Tillandsia ionanthe : Blushing Bride
Tillandsia juncea : Wisk broom Airplant
Tillandsia lindenii Regel : Blue-flowered Torch
Tillandsia lineatispica Mez : Pinon
Tillandsia meridionalis
Tillandsia montana
Tillandsia paucifolia Baker : Potbelly Plant
Tillandsia pruinosa Sw. : Fuzzywuzzy Airplant
Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. : Small Ballmoss
Tillandsia setacea Sw. : Southern Needleleaf
Tillandsia streptophylla : Curly Locks Plant
Tillandsia stricta : Hanging Torch
Tillandsia tectorum : Powder Puff Plant
Tillandsia tenuifolia L. : Narrowleaf Plant
Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. : Spanish Moss
Tillandsia utriculata L. : Spreading Airplant
Tillandsia variabilis Schlecht. : Leatherleaf Airplant
Tillandsia xeropgraphica : Shirley Temple Airplant

Hybrids

Tillandsia × floridana (L.B. Sm.) Luther (T. bartramii × T. fasciculata)

Tillandsia × smalliana Luther (T. balbisiana × T. fasciculata)

Cultivation and uses

Tillandsia makes an interesting houseplant, grown indoors or in a greenhouse, needing no soil because water and food is absorbed through the leaves. The roots are used as anchors only (being without root hairs through which nutrient could be taken in). Common names for Tillandsia include Air plant, Ball moss (T. recurvata) and Spanish moss, the latter referring to T. usneoides in particular.

Light

Place in indirect or diffused sunlight in summer (full summer sun will damage the leaves) but direct sun is acceptable in winter. If indoors, Tillandsia must be placed near a bright window (avoid a north-facing view). They prefer to be outdoors in summer.

Air

Fresh, moving air is ideal.

Indoor arrangement of six Tillandsia plants mounted on a log section.

Watering

For all watering, the first choice is rain water. If not available, use filtered tap water or tap water. The plants should be soaked thoroughly twice a week when not in flower; more often in a hot dry environment but do not keep the plants constantly wet, allow to dry between waterings. Additionally, the plant will enjoy being sprayed once a day in summer. In autumn and winter spray three times a week. Spraying does not replace thorough soaking with a watering can or dipping entirely in water (for approximately one hour). After soaking, excess water is shaken off to avoid rot. Plants in flower are more susceptible to rot and should not be soaked. Tillandsia cannot survive in standing water, nor being planted in earth.

Temperature

Temperature is not critical, the allowable range being from 32°C down to 10°C. They are sensitive to frost, except for the hardiest species, T. usneoides, which can tolerate night-time frosts down to about -10°C.

Single Tillandsia plant, composed of parent plant and two offsets.

Feeding

Spray with Bromeliad or houseplant fertilizer, once every two weeks spring and summer and once every four weeks autumn and winter. Dilute the feed to one quarter the recommended strength.

Flowering

Although not normally grown for their flowers some Tillandsia will bloom on a regular basis, indeed, some species have very impressive flowers. In addition it is quite common for plants to take on a different leaf colour (usually changing from green to red) when about to flower. This is, sadly, an indication that the plant is monocarpic (flowers once before dying) but offsets around the flowering plant will continue to thrive.

Offsets

After flowering, the plant will grow offsets or "pups" around the mother plant. Leave these on if possible, as the plant will be heartier if left to form a colony.

Fixing plant to a base

Fix with silicone adhesive or a non-water soluble glue, on the lower leaves but try to avoid the base from which the roots grow. For a mount, try seashells, log sections, driftwood, coral, rocks, pottery, fountains or crystals. If desired, decorate the mount with sphagnum moss (dyed or natural green) and ornaments.

Image:Tillandsia caput-medusae - desc-flower tangle - from-DC1 - stat-vulnerable.jpg|Tillandsia caput-medusae Image:Bromeliaceae01.jpg|Tillandsia cyanea Image:Tillandsia flabellata1.jpg|Tillandsia flabellata

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