 |
I keep returning to Tillandsia like a moth to a flame. They are so close to being hardy for me in a cold greenhouse that it is difficult to resist.
Given good conditions while they root and a couple of decent winters to establish, I am sure that many of the species would survive. T. caerulea is very well adapted to an epiphytic life but comes from Peru and Ecuador, and not even at particularly high elevations. Not the best match for a damp Cornish greenhouse but hope springs eternal. Andy's Airplants says: "Tillandsia caerulea meaning sky blue is a beautiful and elegant species from dry forests in Peru and Ecuador. It branches and grows into an attractive clump, has lovely foliage finely dusted with trichomes and produces lovely long flower spikes with highly scented, blue flowers. This species if very floriferous often flowering more than once a year, it is also quick growing. It is easy to grow given high light levels or full sun, misted regularly and with good air-movement." Bromeliads in Australia says: "This species is superficially similar to T. recurvata (L.) L of the subgenus, Diaphoranthema. However, the greater size of the plant, wider leaf blades and larger number of floral bracts per inflorescence, usually at least 3, and lax inflorescence easily distinguish it from T. recurvata. Apparently the distribution ranges do overlap. While T. recurvata is cosmopolitan, T. caerulea has thus far been reported only from the area around Loja and the region between Loja and Cuenca. T. recurvata has also been reported from this same area. The flowering times seem to coincide." |
|
| 24th October 2015 | ||
