Tillandsia from the Bromeliad family belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants, which number more than 500 species. They are especially widespread in America in tropical and subtropical regions (in Chile, Central America, Mexico, Argentina). They got their name in honor of the botanist from Sweden E. Tillands (1640 - 1693).
There are many types of original tillandsia in a wide variety of shades - from blue-blue to yellowish-green. By species, the following are distinguished: double-edged, living in Costa Rica; bulbous, growing from Mexico to Brazil; Linden growing in Ecuador; dumb, growing in tropical rainforests of America, etc.
Description of Tillandsia
In the form of inflorescences, malvoid, paniculate tillandsia, etc. are distinguished. All of them are beautiful and original in shape and habitat.
The size of the leaves is small - from 5 to 35 cm. The leaves are dark green in color, they are also found with a reddish-brown tint. In shape - narrow, slightly curved and form a thick outlet. The width of the leaves reaches 15 mm. In the center of the outlet, a dense spike-shaped elliptical inflorescence is formed with bright pink bracts located in two rows adjacent to each other. Small blue-violet tillandsia (25 mm) with pointed bent petals suddenly bloom and bloom for only one day. There are flowers among them with other shades.
Tillandsia is also unusual in that the inflorescences open alternately. Very rarely, two or more. In total, over the entire flowering period, up to 20 of them bloom.
Habitat features
In terms of habitat, these are very original flowers. Tillandsia grows on trees, less often - on rocks and quite rarely - on soils. They can cling to the bark of a tree, to snags with the remnants of the bark and grow safely on them. For example, in Venezuela there is a weevil-like tillandsia growing on electric wires.
Some species of tillandsia are used as decorative deciduous plants due to the unusual shape and original habitat. They can grow at home, but only subject to certain rules for caring for them.
Tillandsia anita, hybrid
Tillandsia anita is a hybrid (highly decorative) of blue tillandsia ("Tillandsia cyanea").
Due to its photophilousness, a bright purple flower can well take root on the balcony and loggia on a wooden or plastic stand, as well as in a pot on the windowsill. They can also be placed on sections of the wall, with various supports and racks installed on them. However, we must remember that Tillandsia anita, like other species, does not like direct rays of the sun and drafts.
Tillandsia blue has been known in culture since 1867. Its homeland is the forest regions of Ecuador and Peru, which are located at an altitude of 550 to 1000 meters above sea level. The Latin name of this plant is "Tillandsia cyanea". These are blue-violet flowers that bloom unexpectedly and live one day.
Home-grown tillandsia care
The conditions for them need special, as these are unusual flowers. Tillandsia is a tropical plant. For its successful growth and flowering in summer, the ambient temperature in the room should be at least 18-28 ° C, in winter - 18-20 ° C.
The plant must be kept in a place that is bright, but shaded from direct sunlight, because when the lighting is insufficient, its leaves lose their freshness and decorativeness, and the inflorescences acquire pale shades.
Tillandsia anita, like other species, requires constant, but moderate watering and spraying. Insufficiency of moisture leads to drying out of the ends of the leaves and their rounding, and overdrying leads to their dropping. The procedure should be carried out soft (this flower does not tolerate water containing lime) with warm water 1 time per day in dry weather in warm seasons, the rest of the time it is enough 1 time per week or per month, taking into account air humidity. During flowering, plants should be watered very carefully, preventing water from entering its peduncle.
Fertilizer and reproduction
Tillandsia anita and tillandsia blue require feeding 1 time in 14 days with liquid fertilizers for indoor plants, taken in a volume 2 times smaller than the recommended dose.
Tillandsia propagates mainly by processes-offspring and, very rarely, by seeds. Children are produced in spring and summer. Lateral shoots appear after flowering plants. After the appearance of 4-6 leaves and subordinate roots, they must be carefully separated from the base of the flower. If cuts from the knife remain, they must be sprinkled with chopped charcoal. Escape must be dropped into a container and put in a slightly shaded place. The air temperature should be 22-25 ° C. After about 2 years, possibly earlier, flowering will begin.
The substrate for all plants must be loose. Its composition: a mixture of small spruce or fir bark, land with leaves, sand, peat, humus, moss, fern roots and fragmented pieces of charcoal. Due to the weak development of the roots, the plant needs to be compacted in the ground.
Pest and Disease Control
Like all bromeliads, tillandsia is also resistant to pests and diseases. Nevertheless, care is needed for them, since their endurance is relative and not the same for different species.
Tillandsia is most affected by bromeliad scale. These are insect shields visible to the naked eye on the underside of leaflets. You can overcome the scabbard by removing them from the leaves with the help of sticks (plastic or wooden), without damaging the surface of the leaves themselves. Then the leaves are washed well with soapy water.
Tillandsia can also be susceptible to viral and fungal diseases. If dark spots appeared on the leaves, and their transparency increased, then the plant became infected. It is necessary to remove diseased leaves and ventilate the room. For the most part, plants are planted in dense plantations where there is not enough light and fresh air.
Unusual in their appearance, Tillandsia will perfectly decorate any room and give its design a special sophistication and originality. The original exotic flower - Tillandsia anita - requires special care when grown at home. Its unusualness attracts the attention of many lovers of home plants.