A suspected natural hybrid of (aeranthos x bergeri) that turned up in a shipment of bergeri from Argentina many years ago. A caulescent plant with stiff, gray leaves on a 6 inch stem, branching freely and forming large clusters. 

The inflorescence is a 3 to 4 inch long scape with deep rose pink bracts and dark, inky blue flowers. There are other Tillandsias of the same cross, but this one is quite different, deserving its own name.

Similar species to compacta, but larger and (we think) nicer. A large grower with light green, slightly mottled, spineless leaves which flush deep red with white speckles in the center when blooming. Pups are stoloniferous and upright.

(Blooming photo courtesy of Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies)

*VIPP plants are Offsets

This Jim Irvin hybrid is one of three cultivars of ‘Diverse Pink’ x sinuosus ‘Cascade,’ the others being ‘Roman Candle’ and ‘Strawberries Flambe,’ having 15+ lanceolate leaves forming a medium-large plant with a full round shape to 18″ in diameter.  The medium narrow leaves in bright green flushed with orange-red along the margins at maturity are so shiny as to appear polished.  The undersides of the leaves are covered in a light lineated white scurf.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A lithophytic Tillandsia species from the vicinity of El Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico at about 5,300 feet of altitude. Considered a distinct variety of the Tillandsia mitlaensis from near the same area. That form is more of a fasciculate, stemless lithophyte while the variety tulensis is distinctly caulescent. The leaves narrower and smaller than the typical species, with appressed silvery-white scales as opposed to dense pruinose scales of the typical form.

The inflorescence is simple, erect, about six inches long with pink bracts and tubular purple flowers. Easy to grow under typical Tillandsia cultural conditions.

This plant has a bit of a history before becoming Tillandsia ‘Kashkin’. Having been collected in Bolivia some years ago by Michael Kashkin, it entered cultivation as simply Species Bolivia. Over the years as it passed from grower to grower, it went by ‘Caulescent jucunda’, ‘Fragrant Flower Bolivia’, and ‘Inca Gold’. Eventually Derek Butcher of Australia did the footwork to determine that the plant is likely a natural hybrid. Of what exactly is not known.

It is a slightly caulescent plant with stiff, narrow, silvery leaves, and a slightly branched inflorescence bearing large, yellow, very fragrant flowers. Easy to grow, it forms nice clusters and likes bright conditions and good air circulation.

Bill Timm’s hybrid of Tillandsia ionantha ‘Druid’ x ionantha v. vanhyningii, looks pretty much like a large vanhyningii. If this plant had turned out with a yellow blush instead of red, more like the ‘Druid’ parent, then this would have been a show stopper. But alas it isn’t yellow, but it is still a very nice, compact and colorful plant as you can see by the photo. 

A hybrid of Orthophytum 'Iron Ore' x harleyi from Paul Wingert. This ones grows to a rosette of 10 inches across and 10 inches tall.  the leaf color is a chocolate brown with silver scurf. The inflorescence has a rosy pink color to the bracts.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A remarkable cultivar of zonatus ‘Silver’ x ‘Ocean Mist’ by Jim Irvin truly a giant in the genus and is a grex mate to his ‘Frostbite,’ ‘Iceberg,’ and ‘Offinen.’  Growing to over 24 inches across in good culture, the lanceolate leaves are brownish-green, nearly totally obscured by dense wavy, silver banding.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

This beautiful hybrid of (polystachia x capitata) by Steve Correale is a full rosette of recurving, light green leaves. An inflorescence with long red scape bracts and a cluster of glabrous, red-tipped green branches rises well above the foliage. 

A small upright, stoloniferous species who’s chief value is as a botanical because it lacks many decorative qualities. However, I and many others feel that a species plant doesn't have to be beautiful to be appreciated, and that little plants like this have their own charm. Makes a decorative cluster, good for hanging pot culture.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

This could be the smallest species of the genus. A tiny plant with many narrow, soft spined leaves in a 2 to 3 inch rosette. The delicate inflorescence with yellow flowers in only about ten inches tall. Great for pot culture or dish gardens. Makes a dense cluster with the production of many offsets. A must for collectors.