Tillandsia melanocrater is native to Central America. It is found in an area covering Guatemala and Panama where it grows at an altitude ranging from 50 to just over 1500 meters. It is distinguished from Tillandsia tricolor mainly by the base of the leaves which are almost black instead of brown and by its altitudinal distribution, closer to sea level. In addition, the leaves of this species are often more rigid (almost prickly).
Tillandsia melanocrater, also called as Tillandsia melanopus, Tillandsia tricolor var. melanocrater, is a species of the genus Tillandsia. This species was described by L.B.Sm.emend.Gouda in 1937.
IDENTIFY TILLANDSIA MELANOCRATER AIR PLANT
Tillandsia melanocrater is native to Central America. It is found in an area covering Guatemala and Panama where it grows at an altitude ranging from 50 to just over 1500 meters. It is distinguished from Tillandsia tricolor mainly by the base of the leaves which are almost black instead of brown and by its altitudinal distribution, closer to sea level. In addition, the leaves of this species are often more rigid (almost prickly).
It is a medium sized epiphyte (25 cm), acaule with numerous, leathery leaves in a tight rosette. The sheaths are broad and almost black, the limbs are erect, light green, linear and triangular. This species was once considered a simple Tillandsia tricolor variety. The name tricolor comes from the 3 colors that can be displayed on the leaves: green at the limb, brown / black at the sheath and red at the end at the time of flowering.
This air plant bloom from the quite large (25 cm) inflorescence but shorter than the leaves, simple or composed of ears, on a fine peduncle. The bracts of the flowering stem are upright, nested and green or red. The floral bracts are upright, nested, completely hairless (although there may be some scales at the apex), leathery, green with sometimes the red apex. The flowers are sessile, tubular, 5 to 6 cm long, purple in color. The stamens and the pistil are exserts.
TILLANDSIA MELANOCRATER 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 melanocrater requires a good light and tolerates full sun (avoid the afternoon in summer if the plant is young or has not been used). Be careful in winter to return the plant after watering to empty the water that accumulates in the heart of the plant (water proof rosette) and thus avoid any risk of rot. Place the plant very close to a window in the winter and preferably out in mid-shade in the summer.
Temperature:
The required temperature ranging from 10 to 32°C. 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 air plant 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 melanocrater 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.
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. Be sure to return the plant after watering to remove excess water, especially in winter when the light is sometimes insufficient.
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.
COMMENTS