The tillandsia is from tropics of Latin America. It is epiphyte, i.e. the tillandsia grows in crevices of rocks or in hollows of trees, sometimes on the fallen trunks.
Instruction
1. All sort of tillandsias is separated into two groups very unlike at each other. One of them are atmospheric tillandsias, they practically have no root system and therefore they do not need change, with success carrying out all the life on the same place. Atmospheric tillandsias have threadlike thinnest leaves which are covered with microscopic scales dense layer. These scales leaves catch moisture and nutrients from air. These scales reflect light, and the plant looks gray, brilliant, reminding gray hair. The most known of atmospheric tillandsias, usneevidny therefore "the old man's beard" or "the Spanish moss" call. Its thin stalks can reach meter in favorable conditions, but it will not be able to live in the apartment. For this plant the special florarium with high air humidity is necessary. In favorable conditions this tillandsia blossoms small yellow flowers, but roots at it will never appear. Change of tillandsia usneevidny consists in preponderating over time on higher snag that the tillandsia could grow down.
2. There is a lot of species of green tillandsia, and all of them differ from each other externally - form, the sizes and species of flowers. Conditions of keeping of different types can differ too. But the most widespread representative of this family who is grown up in apartments most often - tillandsia blue. It has the socket of narrow long leaves which surface is covered with small scales. In the summer the flat ear size in palm along which edges bracts with violet or blue flowers, very short-lived are located grows from the center of the socket. They get out of hand gradually since top. It is rather easy to grow up houses it, the low spacious pot with special substrate not bad will be suitable for it. With shading availability (for example, several layers of tulle at windows) the tillandsia can be placed even near the southern windows. As the daylight hours of tillandsia rather long, for the winter period is required to it dosvechivaniye which can be arranged from ordinary fluorescent lamps. Optimum temperature for cultivation - from 18 to 25 wasps with condition of constant airing as from closeness the tillandsia is ill. But the plant should be preserved against drafts. Replace blue tillandsia of times in two years.
3. The container has to be wide and superficial, with big pallet and set of drainage holes. Substrate for this epifitny plant has to be friable and sourish. He is trained, mixing in identical proportions the pine bark which is boiled down and chopped into small pieces with peat and chopped sphagnum. It is possible to plant with success tillandsia in ready soil for orchids. Small roots of dark color are norm for this plant, and not sign of decay, as at other flowers at all. Rotten roots at tillandsia get out of the shape at once and become almost liquid. The plant demands additional strengthening in container, usually he is tied to support. Change consists in accurate movement of plant from one pot in another, with fresh substrate. Roots cover with layer of moss about 3-5 cm and put the replaced tillandsia on the constant place.