Among the representatives of the genus, there are epiphytes. They have gray leaves and do not need soil, so often they are sold attached to the bark of a tree or stone. For growing in a pot, terrestrial species are suitable. They have green or scaly leaves. Due to their exotic appearance and decorativeness, Tillandsia is used for decorating bottles, terrariums and interior spaces. The adult plant has from 20 to 60 cm in length. His life is 3-5 years, the plant dies after the flowering period.
Care of the plant.
Lighting. Houseplant Tillandsia loves good lighting. It is recommended to grow it on the windows of the western and southern directions. The exception is the species Tillandsia Blue, which grows well on the northern windows.
Temperature regime. In winter, the plant requires a temperature of 18 to 210C, at night slightly lower - 16-180C. In summer, the optimum temperature for Tillandsia is 22-290C, at night 15-160C.
Location. You can place a plant of Tillandsia on windowsills and on wall sections, making stands, racks, driftwood, grates and epiphytic stamps for it. For the cultivation of epiphytic species of Tillandsia, wooden spits or driftwood, special blocks consisting of bark of cork oak or coniferous trees are used. The plant is attached to the base of the socket using nylon threads. Sometimes use waterproof glue. Attach Tillandsiyu so that nothing prevents the normal growth of roots. Some species grow well "upside down", tied to a lattice. Substrate for Tillandsia must be selected loose, porous, well permeable for water and air. You can use a mixture consisting of pine, fir or spruce shredded bark, humus, leaf land, peat, sphagnum and sand. In addition, it is recommended to add to this mixture the pieces of rhizome and charcoal rhizomes. Firmly fix the plant in the substrate, since its roots are weak.
Watering. Tillandsia need moderate watering all year round. Use soft water, preferably rainwater. On hot days, it is permissible to fill the leaves with water, but in no case should liquidity be allowed to stagnate in it. To do this, use soft water, heated to room temperature.
Air humidity. Tillandsia is a plant that prefers high humidity of air - 70-75%. To create favorable conditions, spray the plant with warm soft water. Be guided by the following regime: when dry air in the summer - 1-2 times a day, with average humidity - 1 time per week, with high humidity - 1 time per month. During the formation of buds and flowering, spraying is carried out with extreme caution, not allowing water to enter the flower spike. If the plant grows in a room with very dry air, then it is recommended that approximately every 2 weeks, in addition to spraying, organize water procedures for Tillandsia: completely immerse the plant in warm water. In case it is an epiphyte attached to a snag, immerse it in the water along with the snag.
Top dressing. Tillandsia is fed with flower fertilizers, sprinkling the leaves. Do this all the year round, every 3-4 weeks. Remember that the fertilizer should be diluted at least 2 times compared to the concentration specified in the instructions.
Reproduction. Propagate this indoor plant with side shoots, or babies. They are formed after flowering and when the mother socket dies off. It is important not to damage the mother plant and bring out a healthy daughter. Find a suitable shoot on an adult plant, separate it. Separate from the mother plant should be when on the shoot grow 4-6 leaves and the adventitious roots will appear. If at the same time you used a knife, you should sprinkle all the sections with crushed charcoal. It is recommended to plant the shoot in a separate container. During the rooting of shoots, keep the temperature 22-250C. Young plants do not tolerate direct sunlight, so they should be shaded. The first weeks should be maintained by the substrate moderately moisturized. Young plants are transferred to the care regime for adults not earlier than 1.5 months later. The first flowering - in 1,5-2 years.
Transfer. Mature plants, bought in the store with a flower stalk, do not require a transplant, since after the flowering period, the mother plants form offspring and perish. Such Tillandsia should be immediately put on a permanent place and not to endure it until the end of flowering.
Difficulties of care.
Tillandsiya is practically not affected by diseases and pests. But such stability is not absolute and depends on the specific species. If black spots appear on the underside of the leaves, the plant is populated with a bromeliad shield. Shields of this pest are visible to the naked eye. To get rid of the scabbard, you need to mechanically remove insects with wooden or plastic sticks, without damaging the surface of the sheet. Next, the leaves must be washed thoroughly with soapy water.
Signs of fungal and viral diseases are an increase in the transparency of the leaf blade and the formation of dark spots on them. In this case, you need to remove all diseased leaves and often ventilate the room.
The most vulnerable to a variety of diseases are plants that are in dense plantations, where they feel a lack of light and air.
If the ends of the leaves begin to dry and curl toward the socket, then the plant lacks moisture or too low humidity.
If thallandsia sheds leaves, it means that it suffers from severe over-drying. And in case of overmoistening the plant rot and die.
When there is a lack of light, the leaves of Tillandsia can lose decorativeness, the inflorescence acquires the color of pale shades, the plant grows poorly and sparsely blooms.