How to care for tillandia at home

When you first meet with tillandse it seems that before the eyes painted plant. The fact is that the culture has a rather wayward form of flowers of the original color. It seems that its flower is cut out of colored paper and painted by an artist-enthusiast. So unusual and spectacular, it looks among the leafy greens. What is tillandsiya by itself, how to grow it and what standards of care to follow, all this we will consider in this article.

Meet the tropical guest

Tillandsia is a bright and unique inhabitant of tropical flora that represents the bromeliad family. This wonderful evergreen herb came to us from the tropics and subtropics. His homeland is America.

In the wild, according to different sources, there are from 400 to 700 varieties of epiphytic culture. Most of the representatives of the parasite on stones or trees, absorbs moisture from them and useful substances. Some species absorb moisture using scales on foliage. Describing the appearance of Tillandia is quite difficult, because the tropical guest is impressive with its originality and diversity. The most popular in our area are species with long dark green leaves, up to 35 cm long, sometimes scaly, and spike-shaped peduncles. Species with gray and red-brown leaves are particularly unique.

Most tillands do not have stems, but some species still have them. After flowering, the maternal rosette of leaves dies away, releasing young shoots before it.

Indoor species

Our climate standards, unfortunately, did not like Tillandia.Therefore it is necessary to grow it in room conditions. And that, not all types. We list the most popular among flower growers:

1. Tillandsiya Anita - a unique hybrid that has a high decorative effect. Narrow long leaves of the variety are painted in gray-green shades. Of particular interest and attention are the original flower stalks of the spike shape, on which bright blue three-petal flowers are placed, decorated with pale pink bracts. After the flowers wither, the spike with bracts for quite a long time makes the culture exotic.

2. Atmospheric Tillands - favorite flower growers. Thanks to this culture, your own home can turn into a small tropical corner. The plant attracts with its extraordinary appearance: it has no roots, absorbs moisture from the air with the help of scales on the shoots and leaves, and its gray-green stems, 25-30 cm long, curl and hang down in a cascade.

3. The most popular grade of atmospheric species is tylandus, known as the old man’s beard, angel hair, Spanish moss. Such names are associated with associations that are caused by the appearance of the culture: capricious hair-stems, instead of hairpins, are decorated with pale yellow flowers.It should be remembered that for the full growth of the usnevidnogo varieties necessary support, on which a cascade of stems will go down.

Care and conditions in the house

Tillandsia - still that capricious. The procedure for growing such an unusual inhabitant, provides for the creation in the house climate as close as possible to the tropical. But, having studied in detail all the manners and whims of culture, observing the norms of caring for her at home, you will be able to admire the flowering of your pet in the second year of her life.

Lighting

The most important thing in caring for tillandia is choosing the right place in the house. Culture does not like direct sunlight. The best place for it in the summertime is the northern window sills in the summer, and the western or eastern in the winter. In the summer, it can also be placed on the glazed terrace or veranda, if necessary, pritenyat. Atmospheric species are able to tolerate rather poor lighting.

Temperature

The optimum temperature in the room where the culture lives in the summer is + 20-24˚С, in the winter - + 18-20˚С. It is also worth regularly air the roombecause a guest from the tropics needs a constant supply of fresh air. But, in the process of airing, make sure that the plant does not fall on the draft, which adversely affects its livelihoods. Not welcomes the flower and sudden temperature jumps.

Watering and moisture

Properly organized process of irrigation and maintaining the necessary level of humidity in the room is the key to success in the process of caring for tillandsia. However, when organizing this process, one should pay attention to varietal featuresbecause each species has its whims.

• Potted culture needs regular portions of moisture. It is necessary to ensure that the soil under it never dries out. In the summer, it is advised to water directly under the root outlet. In winter, light drying of the soil is permissible.In addition to watering, such a pupil should be sprayed with water every day, excluding flowering time.
• Lack of roots atmospheric species eliminates the need to water them. Such tillandsia should be regularly sprayed with water at room temperature. It is advisable to place near them pallets or other containers with water.
• Uneven variety advised to periodically immerse in a container with water. Especially in cases of dehydration, what the plant will tell you is twisted leaves.

The norms of air humidity in the tropical corner of your home should be 70-75%, and not fall below 60%. Abundant and regular spraying is the most important rule for the care of tillandia.

Feedings

Choose fertilizer for thylandia pretty easy: it is either fertilizing for orchids or complex fertilizers for flowering crops. The dosage should be adjusted depending on the type of flower: pot varieties are advised to reduce the doses indicated in the instructions by 2 times, and epiphytic - by 4. Regarding the graphics of fertilizing, experienced flower growers are advised to fertilize a tropical ward every two weeks in summer and spring.

When and how to bloom

Tillandsia bloom in July-August. On spike-like peduncles, small bright tubular flowers form. The color palette is quite variegated: pink, yellow, white, blue, red, purple and others. Tones. The graceful color of the flower iridescently complements the contrasting colors of the bracts. Improper compliance with the rules of care can lead to the fact that your pet will not please you bloom. But in the case of a thorough study of all her whims, in the second year she will decorate your house with attractive exotic flowers.

When and how to transfer

Tillandsia is usually does not need a transplant, because after each period of flowering the culture "reincarnates": its old part dies off and new shoots are born. Pot tillandsii recommended to replant every 2-3 years and in the case when its roots come out through the holes for water.The plant must be carefully removed from the pot and put it in a new container with a previously prepared substrate.

To do this, firstly, you need to choose a tank whose width will be greater than the depth, since root system of culture is not deep. Secondly, it is necessary to prepare the substrate: either buy a special groundwater mixture for bromeliads, or compose it yourself by mixing foliar soil, humus, sphagnum, peat, fern roots and pine bark in equal proportions. Transplant culture in the spring.

Reproduction at home

Reproduction of tylandusia occurs vegetatively or by seed.

Children

Reproduction of culture by children is carried out in spring and summer. For this, the lateral processes, which have reached 8 cm, are carefully separated from the maternal outlet, and the cut on which is sprinkled with crushed charcoal. The separated seedlings are immediately placed in a container filled with substrate, watered regularly and shading.In the case of atmospheric tillandsii, everything is much simpler. In an adult plant, a shoot of any size is simply cut and tied to a support.

Seeds

Those wishing to grow tillandse from seeds are recommended to buy seeds at the florist shop. Sow them on a wet substrate of peat and sand. In this case, the seeds should be placed on top of the soil and cover the container of them with a film or glass. After sowing, the container is placed in a clarified room with a temperature of + 25 ° C. After about a month and a half, the seeds should come up.

Diseases and pests: ways to fight

Due to the fact that tillandsiya came to us from the tropics, she is not afraid of the local pests and is not amenable to disease. However, she has several enemies:

1. Insects (scale insects, whiteflies, flea worms). They mainly attack the plant after transplantation, when it is still rather weak, or with the wrong care. The first thing to do with the infected culture is to wash it with soapy water, then let it dry and spray it with an insecticide solution (Akmelik, Karbofos).
2. The appearance of dark spots on the foliage and stems of the plant indicates a fungal infection. Solution of Fundazol will help to overcome such an uninvited guest.
3. Twisted leaves of tillandsii - a sign of dehydration. It is necessary to water it more carefully.
4. In case of sudden temperature changes, tillandia can shed its leaves. The reason for this behavior may also be excessive lighting or root decay.
5. Your pupil will tell about the lack of light with dark leaves, about his abundance - with pale leaves.
6. Brown or brown leaves - a consequence of excessive watering.

As you can see, beauty really requires sacrifice. After all, in order to admire the spectacular flowering of tropical exotic, you need to sacrifice your work, time and patience. But, Tillandia’s superb flower reward is worth the effort.