Tillandsia atmospheric - home care
Content:
Atmospheric tillandsia is a plant without roots. An unusual exotic flower that does not need a pot because it has aerial roots. Tillandsia is undemanding to care for, its appearance is so unusual and original that every flower lover will like it.
What does it look like, which family it belongs to
Tillandsia atmospheric (tillandsia atmospheric) is a herbaceous, evergreen plant with air roots that do not require soil. Some species have no roots at all, instead of them there are small antennae with hooks with which the flower clings to the support. The shape of the leaves and flowers, as well as their color, differ depending on the variety. An individual feature of the plant is the presence of scales on the leaves, in which the flower collects moisture, due to which it receives nutrition.
Atmospheric tillandsia
In addition to its decorative value, the plant is also used for the manufacture of wallpaper and packaging materials. Young leaves are used in food as vegetables.
Briefly about the history of appearance
The name Tillandsia was given to the plant by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish biologist and naturalist. The flower was named after Elias Tillands, a Finnish botanist. Tillands suffered from a "fear of water", and Karl Linnaeus mistakenly believed that the scales that cover the leaves of the plant serve to protect him from water and, comparing these two facts, gave the flower such a name.
Homeland of the plant
Under natural conditions, tillandsia grows in tropical subtropical and equatorial regions of South America, Argentina and Chile, where humidity is high. Natural habitat: the upper tier of the rainforest with high humidity and shade from direct sunlight.
Air flower in natural conditions
Features of caring for atmospheric tillandsia at home
Unlike other exotic plants, aerial tillandsia grows well at home if a favorable environment is created for it. There is always a place for tillandsia in the interior, and an unusual exotic look will never tire of delighting and delighting.
Temperature
Despite the fact that the flower comes from the tropics and loves warmth, it is recommended to maintain the temperature in the room within 20-25 ℃ above zero, it cannot stand the heat. In winter, the plant must provide a dormant period and reduce the temperature to 15-17 ℃, leaving it on a lighted, cool windowsill.
Lighting
Tillandsia lighting is required diffused, direct sunlight can destroy the plant. The best place to place will be west and east windows so that the sun hits the plant. In winter, artificial lighting is additionally organized. Daylight hours for a plant should be stable at least 13 hours.
Lighting should be diffused
Watering
Watering due to the lack of roots and a pot as such is not required, but if the plant does not have enough moisture in the room and its leaves begin to turn into a spiral, the following should be done:
- Carefully detach the roots from the base.
- Collect water in a basin or other container.It is advisable to use melt or rainwater, but if there is none, then take settled tap water at room temperature.
- Place air tillandsia in a container and leave for 1-2 hours for the plant to be saturated with moisture.
- Remove from the basin, drain the water and return to its permanent place.
The described procedure is recommended to be carried out regularly, 1-2 times a month in the summer. During the dormant period, it is better not to touch the plant, limiting itself to spraying. Tillandsia atmospheric home care involves strict indoor humidity control.
Bathing a flower
Spraying
Spraying is a mandatory daily procedure. The plant receives nutrients only through the water falling on its leaves and stems, therefore, the spraying procedure must be carried out every day, and in hot weather - 2 times, in the morning and in the evening, feeding the plant and increasing the humidity of the air.
Humidity
An important indicator for the well-being of air-root tillandsia is air humidity. It should be above 70%. To maintain it, a special air humidifier is used, and if there is none, then a container with water is placed near the plant and regular spraying is carried out. In winter, the heaters are additionally covered with a wet towel. Florariums are used to create a suitable microclimate. The use of a regular aquarium or jar is allowed.
Priming
Tillandsia does not grow without roots and in the ground. At home, the plant is placed on a flower stand, wire support, a piece of bark, driftwood or stone. Especially for epiphytes, there are special designs on sale: wood sawn with rings, shell, decorative stones.
Special design for plant
Top dressing
Fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen, boron, copper, zinc are used - they are poisonous to the plant. The use of organic fertilizers is not allowed. Top dressing is ideal for orchids and bromilium plants. When using ready-made fertilizer, reduce the dosage indicated on the package by 4 times.
When and how it blooms
Tillandsia atmospheric blooms once at the age of 2-3 years, after which it begins to multiply, releasing shoots and, having given all the strength to this, dies.
Types of flowers
Tillandsia blooms unusually and beautifully. First, she releases an ear, on which bright buds subsequently bloom alternately. The size and color of the buds depends on the type of flower.
Incredible tillandsia bloom
Flower shapes
The buds of the spike bloom one after the other, while the faded buds are not ripped off, as they look exotic and decorative.
Flowering period
The total flowering time can last for several months. During the flowering period, you need to monitor the humidity of the air and the condition of the leaves, carry out regular spraying so that the plant has enough strength for offspring.
Pruning
The plant does not require flower formation and pruning. Only dried or damaged leaves, stems and flowers are removed.
How does it multiply
After flowering, atmospheric tillandsia lets the kids go. With their help, the plant is propagated.Babies are detached from the mother's stem when they reach 5 cm in diameter. Cut off the processes with a sharp knife, sprinkle the place with coal flour (use both wood ash and activated carbon). The sprout is pressed against the support prepared in advance.
Further care, as for an adult plant: spraying, feeding, bathing. According to the description, the baby will attach to the support faster if you put sphagnum moss or coconut fibers under it. Tillandsia has 5-8 children, which makes it easy to propagate a flower even at home.
Reproduction of a flower by children
Transfer
The aerial antennae of the plant are very delicate and break and damage when disconnected from the support. Transplanting a flower to another support is undesirable, since when placing an exotic miracle in a permanent place, you need to think in advance about a beautiful, durable and convenient base for tillandsia.
Possible growing problems
Do not forget that the flower comes from the tropics and requires attention, care and the creation of favorable microclimatic conditions. Unfortunately, the use of fungicides and insecticides is prohibited. The flower cannot stand the effects of poisons and dies. It is better to prevent the disease than to cure it.
Pests
A scabbard and a spider mite often appear on the plant. They fight them by regular and thorough washing of the bush. In severe cases, it is possible to use a soap solution.
Tillandsia silver
Among the diseases, leaf spot is the most common. At the same time, small transparent dropsy first appear on the leaves, which eventually turn into brown spots, gradually taking over the plant. The sick flower is thrown away.
Other problems
When growing a foreign mysterious flower, some problems may arise, for example:
- tillandsia does not bloom - perhaps the plant does not have enough heat or light and just needs to be rearranged to another window;
- the leaves twisted into a spiral and their tips dried up - there is not enough moisture, the spraying schedule should be changed;
- the leaves have become soft - the plant is cold, you need to increase the temperature in the room;
- there are no daughter processes - the branch lacks nutrition, it needs to be fertilized.
Tillandsia fly-shaped
Flower varieties
Among the many types of atmospheric tillandsia, the following varieties are most adapted for survival at home:
- Silver. The rosette is thickened, the leaves are thin, threadlike, the flowers are small red-blue. The name was given for the plaque on the leaves, which glows with silver in the sunlight.
- Medusa's head. The leaves are plump, strongly curled, like tentacles. The flower is bright pink with blue buds, flat shape.
- Fly-shaped. There are no roots at all, the leaves are narrow with sharp tips, the leaves are covered with a light white fluff on top. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, yellow.
- Tillandsia violet-flowered. Outwardly similar to coral. The rosettes are small, up to 5 cm, the leaves are thin, arched, the buds are violet-blue, and the green leaves usually turn pink during flowering.
Tillandsia Xerography
- Bootsy. The leaves are wide at the base with awl-shaped tips of emerald color, intertwined and entangled with each other. The flower is ribbed with a pink center and purple petals.
- Tillandsia sitnikovaya (Tillandsia juncea). The leaves are reed-like and are collected in a rosette. The flower is purple.
- Tillandsia bulbosa (Tillandsia bulbosa). Leaves are thin, long, sinuous. When the plant is in bloom, the top leaves turn red and the flower takes on a lavender hue.
- Tillandsia xerography is the largest species. Grows up to 1 m in height. Leaves are silvery, curled at the ends. It becomes incredibly beautiful during flowering: the leaf bracts are bright pink, the flower bracts are green-yellow, and the flower itself is purple.
Tillandsia atmospheric surprises with its beauty and vitality. The species differ in the shape and color of the leaves, sizes, shades.By purchasing several different varieties, you can create an outlandish mix without getting your hands dirty in the ground. It is easy to care for plants, the main condition is high humidity and regular spraying.
