This hybrid of (kolbii x bulbosa) by Grace Goode is one of only a few that she made, having been much more prolific with Neoregelia. An unusual cross using T. kolbii which is rarely seen in hybrids. (In fact, this is the only one we can find). T. kolbii is an ionantha-like, small grower and it gives its influence in the cross mainly with the inflorescence. The inflorescence is light pink, branched and held low amongst the leaves, with very long, leaf-like scape bracts. The general aspect of the plant is similar to the bulbosa parent, bulbous based, terete leaves held erect. At anthesis the scape bracts blush deep pinkish red. a
A pretty hybrid of fasciculata 'Tropiflora' x 'Fire Orange'. The frosted pink branched inflorescence is from the Tropiflora parent. Leaves are gray and lightly scurffed. The compact shape is similar to the 'Fire Orange'. A nice mix of two beautiful plants.
A pretty cross of aeranthos x leonamiana by Mark Dimmitt. Stiff silver leaves form an open rosette. Inflorescence is deep coral pink with lavender flowers.
An Australian made hybrid of (intermedia x ionantha) by Margaret Paterson. If you are familiar with T. intermedia, you will know that it is a famously proliferating plant, producing offsets from the top of the inflorescence as well as from the base. Well this plant combined with ionantha has produced some unusual but possible predictable results. Singly the plants look a bit like a tall ionantha and upon blooming it will blush red. However it will often surprise and delight by producing one or more offsets from the apex of the plant and successive bloomings will produce an odd, connected cluster of plants.
This is a showy 6 to 8 inch species from Bolivia and Argentina, and is thought to possibly be a natural hybrid of ixioides and recurvifolia. It has stiff silvery leaves in a an upright rosette, with a fairly long scape, bearing pink bracts and light yellow flowers. The fragrance is faint, at best, but is described as 'spicy'. A nice plant that flowers freely and makes large clusters in a few seasons. Easy to grow, bright and on the dry side.
Formerly Tillandsia pucarensis this species from Peru is a fairly large plant with semi-soft gray foliage and an erect simple or barely branched pink inflorescence. The narrow leaves form a leafy, upright rosette. This clone came to us from Germany with the accession code of BOE0A456.
A Mark Dimmitt hybrid of streptophylla x pseudobaileyi. The shape of the plant is bulbous with silvery green foliage. Grows up to 16 inches with a soft pink and green branched inflorescence.
A robust form of this caulescent species from Brazil grows to about 8 inches long but can exceed 12 inches. Stiff, reddish leaves make this a handsome species and it easily forms large clusters. The inflorescence has pink bracts and white flowers. Both an epiphyte and lithophyte in habitat, it does well mounted or simply suspended from a string or wire.
Tillandsia purpurea is found in Peru's famous coastal deserts where it forms large colonies on the burning sands, each containing 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.
