Tillandsia velutina is native to Chiapas and Guatemala. It is found between 1200-2200 meters above sea level. This species was wrongly sold a few years ago under the name T. brachycaulos var. multiflora, but it is actually another plant (a hybrid between T. brachycaulos and T. caput-medusae ). It is still found sometimes wrongly marketed under this name.
Tillandsia velutina is a species of the genus Tillandsia. This species was described by Renate Ehlers in 1994.
IDENTIFY TILLANDSIA VELUTINA AIR PLANT
Tillandsia velutina is native to Chiapas and Guatemala. It is found in the dry cloud forests between 1200-2200 meters above sea level. This species was wrongly sold a few years ago under the name T. brachycaulos var. multiflora, but it is actually another plant (a hybrid between T. brachycaulos and T. caput-medusae ). It is still found sometimes wrongly marketed under this name.
It is a medium sized epiphyte, which reaching 25 cm, acaule with many, more than 15 cm long, curved leaves that form a rosette. The leaves are greyish-green in the case of strong luminosity and dark green in less luminous conditions.
This air plant blooms from the inflorescence that composed of several short ears each bearing 1 or 2 flowers only. As a result, the inflorescence, emerging little from the plant, has a globose appearance. The bracts of the flowering stem resemble leaves, are scaly and of a beautiful bright red. The primary bracts are red and reduced near the ears. The floral bracts are short and white-based. The non fragrant flowers are sessile, tubular, 5 to 6 cm long, dark purple in color, with base and apex lighter, almost white. The stamens and the pistil are exserts.
TILLANDSIA VELUTINA AIR PLANT CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Tillandsia velutina requires good light, and tolerates small amounts of direct sunlight as well, but the plant should avoiding full sun in the summer afternoon.
Temperature:
The required temperature ranging from 10 to 32°C. Place the plant near a window in winter and preferably outdoors in mid-shade in summer. Get it early enough in the fall if you grow it outside, so that it does not face night temperatures below 4 or 5 ° C, especially if it is wet. The plants can faced temperatures close to 0 ° C (sheltered and dry) for a few hours without damage.
Humidity:
This species need the moderate level of humidity. Good aeration is required, the plant must dry quickly (in less than an hour).
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Tillandsia velutina refer to be mounted on a solid substrate that does not retain water. You can glue the plant directly to the surface with a strong adhesive, or you can wire the plant to the base. Don't cover the base of the plant with moss or it may rot. It can be grown on almost any imaginable decorative mount, including shells, rocks, slate, driftwood, etc. Group them in decorative clumps for maximum effect.
Watering:
Twice a week in summer, once a week in winter according to the luminosity and the ambient humidity. Obviously when it rains and if you grow it outside, it counts as a watering.
Fertilizer:
This air plant can be fertilized with the moderate doses. 1 to 2 times a month in the summer and 1 time a month in the winter.
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