Tillandsias Fasciculata

Grows from Florida, through the Caribbean and Central America, and into northern South America. They are found growing from sea level to 1,800 metres. The plants form stem-less rosettes that are 20-100 cm high. The sheaths are rust coloured or castaneous. The blades are narrowly triangular, attenuate, and 30-70 cm long. The leaves are stiff, brittle, and easily broken if bent. They can be erect, spreading or even decurving. The floral cluster is tall and erect. The floral bracts are often a shade of fern green with cardinal to blood red margins. The corollas are mauve to indigo.

They are easy to grow. The prefer bright light and fresh air, and although they may be classed as a plant adapted to withstand drought, frequent watering and fertilising will promoted faster growth. If the base of the plant is allowed to hold water for an extended length of time, it could become stagnate. Stagnant water serves as host for rot-causing forms of fungi and bacteria.

Tillandsia fasciculata is prolific, often producing a half dozen off-sets. As these new plants develop they will begin to crowd each other. They should be separated at this point and mounted individually to maximise the growth rate and plant conformation. With moss wrapped around the root base, the plant will soon develop an intricate, holdfast root system. If grown as a potted plant in a well-draining medium, the plant will soon fill the pot with roots. Because it often grows into a large specimen, it can serve as the centrepiece in one’s collection. When allowed to grow for a period of time, a plant will produce many attractive, symmetrically arranged leaves along with a sizeable and long lasting colourful cluster of flowers.

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