A hybrid that we got from a friend some years ago that is of unknown provenance, to us anyway. It has “the look” of a Steve Correale hybrid but we do not know for sure. This cross was also done by Paul Isley and his cross is named Tillandsia ‘Mr. Mal Mele’, but it is not the same as our plant.

Ours has broad, recurving, silvery leaves and a slightly bulbous base. The leaves blush pinkish on the upper part of the plant at anthesis. The inflorescence is about as tall as the body of the plant overall, with long scape bracts. It bears 6 or more branches that are held upright at a 45-degree angle to the scape. Floral bracts are bright red with some silvery trichomes. Flowers are violet. A very attractive plant with a long-lasting inflorescence.

*Plants are NOT in bud at this time

Unusual for the cross, this same cross; Tillandsia edithae x albertiana, has been made several times in the past and is registered under at least two names. Both however have red flowers, as one might expect with a cross of two red-flowered parents. This one has large purple flowers, silvery pink bracts and nice silvery leaves in a leafy, upright rosette. This plant freely produces many offsets.

This Guatemalan plant is a living pincushion. A marble-sized plant, with 2 inch long, needle-fine leaves and a 6 inch tall inflorescence of orange with blue flowers. Easily grown in a breezy spot, mounted. Will form little clusters. This species was commonly known as Til. argentina ‘fine leaf‘ but this name is not valid.

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.

A small species with twisted foliage and fragrant light blue flowers. Native of Bolivia and Argentina where it grows in small clusters in the arid scrublands. The leaves are silvery, terete and somewhat kinked. Its inflorescence is like that of a streptocarpa, with light blue fragrant flowers. Grow bright and airy for best results.

An attractive hybrid of (ionantha x chiapensis) by John Arden. As with most ionantha hybrids, it shows very strong characteristics of that species. A very leafy open rosette to about 8 or 10 inches tall with a pinkish blush to the scurfy, silvery leaves. The inflorescence is very colorful, a cluster of bright red branches nested deep in the center, with large, tubular, inky-blue flowers. Very pretty and easy to grow. Likes to be on the dry side. 

An interesting Mexican lithophytic species from Oaxaca where it lives in very arid conditions on rock outcrops. The leaves are very stiff, almost needle-like, about 18 inches long. The habit is like that of Till. juncea, but the foliage is much more robust. Related to T. rodrigueziana.

Also known as ‘Huamelula‘, is among the largest and loveliest of the various ionantha forms. It occurs naturally on rocky cliffs above a deep seaside canyon in Oaxaca, Mexico. This form grows up to six inches across in a spreading rosette, and colors a magnificent overall red when in bloom. Large, lovely and easy to grow!

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

A Guatemalan species to about 8 x 10 inches with lovely thick silvery leaves, a bright red, cylindrical, simple spike and purple flowers. Nice for mounting. Considered an endangered species, is rather rare in nature, but very commonly cultivated. Especially easy to grow, a confidence builder for beginners.

A tiny fan shaped plant that forms massive clusters. Each individual plant grows to about three inches tall and wide. It is found mainly as a twig epiphyte from Paraguay to Argentina and Bolivia. Our plants are from material that we collected near Mataral, Santa Cruz, Bolivia in 1994. It can often be seen growing in ball-like clusters on power lines. The flowers are tiny but pretty, purple colored, flaring and mildly fragrant. Culture with bright light and ample air circulation. Does great just hanging on a wire or string. Do not allow clumping plants to remain wet for long after watering.

An unusual cross of (baileyi x achryostachys) by Patterson. An upright rosette with few leaves, about 12 inches tall. The foliage is narrow, fairly soft and silvery. A simple inflorescence is lanceolate in shape, mostly green but tinted pink. 

With its clumping habit, brilliant rose bracts and inky blue flowers, this species is a gem of the Tillandsia world. From the ‘southern cone’ of South America, it is tolerant of some cold. Beautiful and undemanding.