First it should be noted that there is no such thing as Tillandsia tomasellii officially. This taxa has been combined with xerographica and is for all practical purposes, that plant. However, it bears little resemblance to a ‘typical’ xerographica.

This plant more closely resembles Tillandsia fasciculata in general aspect, same basic shape, narrow, silvery leaves, etc. The inflorescence however does resemble xerographica, a tall, well branched spike of yellow. A possible hybrid? Maybe, but for now, we are keeping this plant with its old name.

By the way, our plants originated in Guatemala, not Oaxaca, Mexico where tomasellii was first found.

A handsome, slender growing, clump forming species from Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil. Described by Prof. Dr. Werner Rauh in 1984. A lithophyte, growing with several species of cacti, orchids and other bromeliad species. The foliage is silvery-lepidote, slender, in a loose upright rosette with an inflorescence about a long as the leaves, un-branched, with light red bracts and open white flowers.

Individual plants reach about 8 inches tall.

A species from Bolivia and Argentina with very stiff, pointed leaves in a 5 to 8 inch rosette. It is colorful with dark greenish-bronze leaves and a beautiful and long lasting, multi-branched inflorescence of reddish-orange, with small white flowers. A very sturdy plant, easy to grow and tolerant of some cold weather.

A natural hybrid of fasciculata x hondurensis from Honduras. A medium sized silvery plant, with a bright-red branched inflorescence. Found rarely among the multitudes of T. hondurensis, which live on exposed cliffs in the mountainous central part of the country.

A beautiful, silvery plant in a leafy 10 inch rosette with a handsome, silver-dusted pink-orange inflorescence and white flowers. Resembles didisticha a little and is sometimes confused with pucaraensis. Our plants came originally from the collection of Dr. Werner Rauh years ago.

A naturally occurring hybrid of brachycaulos x dasyliriifolia from Mexico, described by Ramirez & Carnivali. In our experience it is not a large plant, but rather upright growing to about 12 to 18 inches with fairly broad silvery-green leaves. The inflorescence is cylindrical to occasionally branched, with pinkish bracts and white flowers.

(SEL2000-0185)

A natural hybrid of (flexuosa x funckiana) that we collected in Venezuela in the late 1990’s. This plant is from a completely different area than the one described by Gouda in 2002, but it likely would be considered the same taxa. Our plant is from the state of Carabobo on the old road from Valencia to Puerto Cabello, a long distance from the Merida locality of the other. We found ours growing on a rock, in light forest in partial shade. The Tillandsia flexuosa and funckiana in this area are quite different looking than the ones near Merida which is much higher in altitude and much drier.

An interesting plant with long, stiff leaves along a caulescent stem, silvery green in color, clump forming. The inflorescence is a thin scape no higher than the foliage, with large flowers of deep rose red that are tubular with flaring petals that recurve at the tips. A very interesting plant that leaves no doubt about its hybrid origins.

THIS PLANT IS ON C.I.T.E.S. AND CANNOT BE EXPORTED

This cross of xerographica x brachycaulos has been made before and at least one clone is registered as “Betty.”  This plant, however, is not the same, though of course, you’d expect similarities.  Our clone most closely resembles the xerographica parent in the foliage, with broad, channeled, fairly stiff, curling, silvery leaves.  The inflorescence is tall with many upright greenish branches and long scape bracts that blush slightly red at anthesis.  A nice large showy plant!

This is a commercial mix that we at Tropiflora have custom made 50 yards at a time. We use this formula because #1 it works for us and #2 it is economical.

Anyone can mix their own potting media and we encourage you to do so in order to best suit your needs. However, if you wish to use our proven mix, we are more than happy to oblige!

Here is the formulation:

• 30% Canadian Peat
• 30% Green Bark
• 30% Hardwood Chips
• 10% Perlite (though this can vary with availability of materials).

It also includes 3 pounds of minor elements per yard and has a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5.  This mix allows good air access to the root zone, good moisture retention without getting soggy, long pot life, and good substance for holding plants upright.

Note: A one quarter cubic foot bag of soil should fill about half a dozen 6 inch Azalea Pots.

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Our U.S. Flag variant shirts are a cool, 100% polyester - perfect for working outside on your plants.