This plant is an apparent natural hybrid but we are reasonably certain that it is a cross of (riohondoensis x ionantha) that came in with a shipment of the former from Guatemala some years ago. We have been propagating it ever since. The plant has many narrow, velvety leaves in an upright vase shaped rosette. It can grow to over ten inches tall and wide with leaves about a half inch wide tapering to a point. The inflorescence is a capitate head of very tight branches on a short scape bearing long leaf-like bracts. The bracts blush pink at anthesis along with the upper whorl of leaves.

Overall the plant is silvery with a heavy coating of trichomes. The leaves are soft and graceful. We are naming this plant in honor of our dear friend Ruby Ryde of Australia. An avid bromeliad collector of many years with her late husband Keith and who has for years faithfully sent us a beautiful calendar of Australian nature each December. She is our ‘Calendar Girl’ and we are proud to have her as our friend!

This is a spectacular collector item with a great shape and beautiful color. Widely spreading rosettes of deep-red leathery leaves bear an inflorescence of bright yellow with a capitate head and long scape bracts.

Few Tillandsias are more striking when in bloom. Best in bright light, in a fast draining media. Can be grown mounted or epiphytically, but will not produce as large a plant.

This larger growing species is a rock dwelling saxicole in its native Jalisco, Mexico habitat. A wide spreading rosette of 3/4 inch wide, leathery leaves blushes bright red in strong light. At anthesis the capitate head of red bracts rises well above the foliage, is bright red with blue flowers. A very showy plant and prized by collectors. Can be grown mounted or potted in a well-draining media.

This giant clone of Tillandsia chiapensis has longer leaves and will grow taller than the typical form. Matures at approximately 18-20 inches in height and 24 inches width.

We acquired this plant from Steve Correale years ago but have not offered it to the public until now.

The last photo is a blooming clump ready to be split.

*VIPP plant is shown AS IS*

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.