A nice hybrid by Jim Irvin that unfortunately he never named nor registered. Using two South American species native to warm to hot arid regions. Tillandsia babuagrandensis is a species with a simple inflorescence of pinkish red from Peru in the region of Bagua Grande in the state of Amazonas and the didisticha is a handsome species from Bolivia and Argentina with a branched pink inflorescence.

The cross has many short, stiff, pointed leaves with a coating of silver trichomes. The inflorescence is a tall spike with on or two upright branches, red with silver trichomes giving it a pinkish coloration. Easy to grow, pups well and does best in bright light, mounted.

A beautiful and robust species from Chiapas, Mexico. Similar in some aspects to Tillandsia fasciculata var. fasciculata to which it is certainly closely related, it is maintained as a distinct species nonetheless. Having a bumpy and confused start including a name change by Matuda and being mis-assigned to the wrong subfamily by Lyman Smith, it remains a species of taxonomic contention. Found only in the vicinity of Sumidero Canyon, it lives mainly as a lithophyte on canyon walls, forming clusters of several to many plants. The foliage is stiff, narrowly triangular, greenish above and silvery below and up to two feet long. The inflorescence is taller than the rosette, erect at first and bearing up to a dozen narrow, bright yellow branches and blue-violet flowers. A choice species that is not very commonly available.

An interesting and truly beautiful caulescent species from Paraguay with a very long stem bearing dozens of stiff, bronzy, 4 inch leaves. The inflorescence is a branching red spike with white flowers. We obtained our first specimen in the mid 1980’s from Prof. Dr. Werner Rauh, after he first described the species. We started with a single specimen and have released this plant periodically since. Easy to cultivate in bright light and good air circulation.

A curious hybrid of cacticola ‘Splendid’ x duratii has some characteristics of both parents but really resembles neither. The plant forms an upright rosette of stiff, succulent leaves that taper to a curling tip. The inflorescence is upright, usually simple, dark purple with pale lavender flowers. Unusual.

A large form of capitata from Mexico collected by Steve Correale and used extensively in his hybrids. An open rosette shape of arching, leathery leaves that blush red in good light.

The inflorescence is vivid red-orange. A large grower to about 24 inches across.

Somewhat resembles a Tillandsia brachycaulos in size and shape but less leafy. Leaves are somewhat stiff, shiny, and gray/green. The entire plant flushes pink or peach when in bloom, with a short scape. An epiphyte on shrubby trees in the scorching valleys of central Honduras. Definitely something different. Easy to grow.

A beautiful form of a bright red Mexican T. capitata that has been used by breeder Steve Correale for years to make many outstanding hybrids. There are other red clones of capitata from Mexico, but this one is a little different. A 15 inch rosette of thick, leathery leaves of deep, rich, wine red with an inflorescence the same color, and having great conformation.

At any rate, we have preserved this clone and we feel certain that there will be more hybrids of merit yet to come from pairing with this beautiful plant.

A very showy plant that strongly resembles the more common Til. foliosa. A beautiful sub-mesic to mesic grower from Veracruz, Mexico that has narrow, reddish-green leaves in a 12 inch rosette, with a 12 inch inflorescence of crimson.

The scape has 1½ inch long branches that are only partly hidden by the long, red bracts. In foliosa, the bracts completely hide the branches. Does well potted or mounted.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A Mexican plant with very stiff leaves in an open rosette of 6 to 8 inches. The leaves are yellowish, blushing reddish in strong light or full sun and it produces a shiny red to yellow-green, branched inflorescence with pink flowers. Easy to grow, preferring conditions on the bright and dry side. Can be suspended from a string or mounted on wood, cork, stone or other substrate. Suitable for dry terrarium use.

A giant form of concolor from Mexico with the same general characteristics as the typical form, but reaching nearly a foot across. A desert dweller with a restricted range, it can be seen growing on cacti and Acacia in the extremely harsh country near Cuicatlan, Oaxaca. Stiff yellowish-green foliage tints reddish in the sun, and a shiny multiple branched spike of yellow to red with pink flowers. An outstanding plant.

Note: It is suggested by the BSI that this is a natural hybrid of unknown parentage. I doubt that. The plants are abundant in habitat but of limited range and they vary little. I believe that this is just a large and attractive clone or possibly form of the species. The ‘normal’ form does not seem to occur within the range of ‘Cuicatlan‘.

A rarely seen small grower from central coastal Mexico. Resembling a seedling of Til. streptophylla with its bulbous base and strap-like curly leaves, it differs from the later in lacking a scape. Please note: in cultivation this species tends to have a smaller base and narrower, less curled leaves.

Perhaps growing ‘harder’ would bring back the wild look. The flowers are formed on a short compound inflorescence. An unusual and desirable collectible.

A real oddity. Showing characteristics of both parents, the influence of duratii is obviously stronger. A caulescent plant, with narrow, succulent silvery leaves like duratii, but leafier and more of a rosette shape like stricta.