Tillandsia purpurea is found in Peru where it forms large colonies on the desert sands which may contain millions of plants of a single or a few clones. Adjacent valleys may have completely different looking forms which are in fact the same species. This happens to be one of the more desirable of Tillandsias due in part to its ease of cultivation and its colorful, fragrant flowers. We have four distinctly different forms in our collection: Tillandsia purpurea 'Desert Star' is so named due to it's desert habitat and beautiful star-shaped flowers.
A choice miniature from Mexico that grows in a full compact rosette to about 6 inches. The stiff leaves are very thick and succulent terminating in a sharp spine. With age the plant develops white filaments along the leaf margins, which grow fairly long and curl. This form has bold creamy white variegation along the margins. Cold hardy for gardens to freezing and just below. Small enough and slow enough for pot culture.
This is a good quality, versatile formula for epiphytic plants. This fertilizer does not use urea as a nitrogen source, as it is not usable by epiphytic plants. Water soluble, it can be used in daily irrigation or applied at intervals. Will not burn foliage at recommended rates and does not stain foliage. This is the fertilizer we use here at Tropiflora for our bromeliads, orchids and all epiphytic plants.
Application Rates: Constant Feed: A rate of 50 to 150 ppm of nitrogen is recommended. For bi-weekly applications: Use at the rate of 1½ to 2 tsp per gallon of water. Monthly: 1 to 1½ to tbs/gal.
THIS PLANT IS ON C.I.T.E.S. AND CANNOT BE EXPORTED
For lovers of weird, a nearly leafless, shrub-like member of the Didiereaceae that can reach nearly 10 feet tall but grows in a rather haphazard clump of tangled branches. The cylindrical stems are kind of olive green with silver tricomes and bears scattered conical spines which are stout but not ‘dangerous’.
Native to southern coastal Madagascar in the regions of the thorn forest from near sea level to almost 1,000 feet. A dioecious species that requires both sexes to set seed, but is easily propagated from cuttings. Reportedly slow growing but we do not find this to be especially true. Best grown in full sun to partial shade, well drained soils and moderate watering. Protect from freezing.
A native to Southern Madagascar. Alluaudia humbertii is a deciduous, succulent, small tree or large shrub native to semi-arid scrubland and thorn forests. Mature plants can reach 16-20 feet tall and equally as wide with a stout trunk and freely branched habit. The slender branches have thin, grey bark, range in form from procumbent to arched to upright, and are covered in spines reaching 0.75" long. Small, rounded, succulent leaves reaching 0.75" in diameter emerge from the branches during the rainy season and are dropped by the plant during the dry season.
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