Tillandsia is a tropical plant that can be grown in a pot or as an epiphyte. The original beauty of tangles and the possibility of growing without a substrate make these plants very popular. See whatcultivating at homelooks like and what are the ways to reproduce it. We present the most interestingspecies and types of tangleand how to use them in modern arrangements.
Oplątwa - Tillandsia
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Oplątwa - description of appearance and properties
Tillandsia is a genus of exotic plants belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. They come from tropical regions of America, India and Africa. This group includes ground forms of tillandsii and epiphytes, i.e. species that grow on supports - tree branches or rocks, and do not need soil.Tangles often have no rootsor they are small and poorly developed. This is because most of the nutrients in the weeds get from the air.
Depending on the speciestillandsje can come in a variety of sizes and shapesThey usually form loose rosettes of leathery, evenly colored leaves. During flowering, the center of the rosette often takes on intense, bright colors. Complex inflorescences are characterized by an interesting form and colorful inflorescences.
Tangles are often used to create modern arrangementsand unusual compositions, such as a garden in a jar.Epiphytes can be attached to a shell or wood base and placed in a glass ball or a hanging basket. It's a good idea to place them among larger indoor plants, between leaves or around the base.Potted tangles are a perfect matchwith orchids, cacti and plants from the bromeliaceae family.
Oplątwa - Tillandsia
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Tillandsia - species and genera
Due to the almost unlimited possibilities of using tangles, there are manyspecies and varieties of tillandsiion the market with a very interesting form and often unusual flowers. Meet selected species of tangles, suitable both for growing in the ground and without it.
Potted tangles, grown in the ground
Bluish tangle(Tillandsia cyanea) - is one of the most popular species for sale.During flowering, it reaches 50 cm in height. Creates a rosette of thin, leathery, pointed leaves. A dense spike of intensely pink bracts appears on the strong shoot. Between them, small purple flowers appear in summer, which fade after just a few days. The inflorescence lasts up to 3 months.
The bluish tangle blooms in the third year of cultivation and then dies. At the end of vegetation, young plants are formed at its base, which can be used to grow new specimens. The bluish tangle is a houseplant that requires a fertile, well-drained substrate - a mixture of peat, moss and leaf soil. Its development is favored by sunny positions and high air humidity.
A flower of encirclement bluish in a pot
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Tillandsia lindeni(Tillandsia lindeni) - is a species native to Peru.It resembles a bluish weave - its narrow leaves form a dense rosette from which a spectacular inflorescence emerges. The long, thin leaves are dark green in color with red or brown stripes visible on the upper side at the base of each leaf. The spike inflorescence, resembling a spatula, is most often pink. This species blooms in winter and the inflorescence lasts up to 3 months. Compared to its predecessor, , the lindeni braid is slightly larger and more tolerant of low temperatures.We cultivate it similarly to the bluish weave.
Oplątwa mossy(Tillandsia tectorum) - comes from the mountainous areas of Peru and Ecuador. The thin delicate leaves form an abundant rosette. They are covered with quite long, silvery hairs that make the plant look frosty. In spring and summer, the braid produces small, tubular, purple-purple flowers growing out of pinkish purple bracts. Like other swirls, this species requires regular watering and sprinkling.It grows best in a place full of diffused light, which is warm and quiet.
Oplątwa - epiphytic species
The vast majority of tangles can only be grown as epiphytes , because the small and moisture-sensitive roots prevent plants from functioning in the pot. Epiphytic tangles use branches or rocks as supports. They do not need roots to collect nutrients - they get everything they need from the air.
Ionant strain(Tillandsia ionantha) - is a small plant that forms dense, stemless rosettes. Decorative, fleshy leaves are densely covered with silvery scaly hairs. As the plant starts flowering, the inside of the rosette takes on a bright red color. The flowers of this species of moths are long, tubular, purple-purple.
Tangle in glass
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Big tangle(Tillandsia xerographica), also called silver-weave, is a very impressive aerial plant.It comes from the forests of southern Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala, where it lives in the treetops. Its wide and long leaves in shades of gray and green twist at the tips giving an unusual, futuristic effect. The shape of the plant resembles a ball. During flowering, the roundworm dazzles with yellow, orange and red large inflorescences.
Tillandsia usneoides (Tillandsia usneoides), also called Spanish moss, comes from the south of the United States, where it is very common. It is one of the most beautiful aerial plants. It has a slender stem with alternating thin, curly, strongly scaly leaves 2 to 6 cm long. The tangled stems resemble lichens and can reach a length of up to 6 meters.
This aerial plant looks great when attached to wood, glass or a hanging flower pot. Just be careful not to thicken too much, as it requires good air circulation.
Tuberosae(Tillandsia bulbosa) - comes from South America, where it occurs on rocks and tree branches. It is a plant with an unusual appearance - long, twisted shoots grow out of a pseudobulb. The leaves are thin, dark green and turn a beautiful purple color when the plant is ready to bloom. It creates a red-pink, loose spike and small, purple flowers. This species has the greatest demand for high air humidity and the lowest tolerance to drafts. This makes it one of the few plants that can tolerate a closed terrarium environment.
Oplątwa - Tillandsia
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Oplątwa, tillandsia - cultivation and requirements
The tangle growing stationshould be full of diffused light. The best place for the entanglement will therefore be a location near a sunny window, preferably with an eastern or western exposure.Epiphytic tangles can grow in delicate partial shade, as direct sun is extremely harmful to them.
The thermal conditions are the same for all species of moth - they feel best in the temperature range of 20-25 ° C. In winter, however, we move the braids to a bright, cool room with a temperature of 15-16 ° C and make sure that the temperature never drops below 13 ° C.
The soil for the tangles planted in potsshould be fertile, with a loose structure. A mixture of peat with moss and leaf soil works well. You can also use a substrate dedicated to orchids.
Epiphytic tangles should not grow in the groundas their tiny roots could rot. It is best to wrap the lower part of the plant with moss and attach it to the substrate - bark, piece of wood or shells.
Oplątwa, tillandsia - watering
Tangles have high water requirementsFor potted plants, the soil must be kept moist (but not excessively wet).What's more, water can also be poured into the rosettes themselves. Once a month we pour out the water and replace it with fresh water.
We irrigate epiphytic tangles by frequent sprinkling , at least once a day. A warm shower is beneficial for plants that have dense rosettes or very curly leaves. This method is best used at least once a week. Dried plants can be recovered by immersing them completely in water for several hours. After prolonged neglect, plants require such a bath once a week.
The air humidity for the braidsshould be at least 60%. Plants should be sprayed with soft, warm water at least once a day in summer and spring. For the rest of the year, a bit less often, a few times a month is enough. It is best to follow the indications of the hygrometer, which will allow you to precisely adjust the sprinkling of plants to the humidity level in the room.
Remember touse soft water for watering and spraying braids- separated or filtered.
Oplątwa - Tillandsia
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Oplątwa, tillandsia - fertilization
We supply both potted and air species by sprinkling them every 2-3 weeks with foliar fertilizers. Fertilizers for orchids are perfect for the cultivation of moths. We dilute them using only a quarter of the recommended dose. We do not apply soil fertilizers, so as not to damage the delicate root system of tollandsii.
Air tangles are intolerant of many elementssuch as copper, iron, and zinc. Applied foliar may cause leaf burns. Therefore, do not use fertilizers that are not specifically designed for bromeliads. If you use the wrong fertilizer and make thea tangle appear burnt- bathe it. Immerse the entire plant in a lukewarm bath for several hours to flush away toxic compounds, then let it dry completely.
Oplątwa, tillandsia - reproduction
Potted tangles are best propagated through cuttings in springTillandsje form new, young plants at the base, which begin to develop intensively when the mother plant blooms. Young seedlings should be separated after the mother plant has flowered and planted in pots. Prepare a substrate for them by mixing peat with sand in a ratio of 1: 1. It takes about 2-3 months for complete rooting, after which the new plant can be transplanted into the target pot.
Epiphytic tangles can be multiplied by dividing the plant into several partsThe cuttings collected in this way are fixed on supports made of bark or shells, where they can continue to grow.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
