Fescue air plant
Tillandsia festucoides
Fescue air plant
- Medium-sized air plant
- Forms grass-like bushes
- Suitable for rainforest terrariums
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Description
Tillandsia festucoides is a medium-sized tropical Tillandsia species that was first validly published by Adolphe Théodore Brongniart , but officially by Carl Christian Mez in 1896. This species grows epiphytically in tropical forests with dry season, in Central and South America from Mexic to Colombia, in the Antilles and the Cayman Islands, at an altitude of 50 - 600 metres. It is also known as T. caricifolia and its appearance is reminiscent of the species T. remota and T. chetophylla. Only when it flowers does the distinction become clear. This Tillandsia looks decicedly grass-like, with its very fine foliage. It resembles fine-leaved fescue (Festuca) species, hence its name that means "Festuca-like". Its leaf rosettes may get about 25 - 45 cm tall. Favourable conditions provided, it forms a narrow, dark red spike, the inflorescence, on which small blue to purple flowers form.
Although it comes from seasonally dry forests, T. festucoides is counted among the green or rainforest Tillandsias that prefer a more humid milieu than the so-named grey Tillandsias. It is fastened on solid materials such as wood or rock. The plant likes a bright place, but without blazing midday sun if it gets daylight. It should be watered regularly with soft water. That can be done by dipping as well as by spraying, so that the plant can absorb water and nutrients via its absorbent scales. However, permanent wetness between the leaf bases is not tolerated. The plant should be allowed to dry off between waterings. Ideally, an orchid and Tillandsia fertiliser should be added every second watering during spring and summer.
After flowering, the mother plant begins to form small pups at the base. These can be carefully separated from a size of about one third of the mother plant. If they are not separated, they grow together to form a larger clump.
T. festucoides with its slender, tall appearance is a beautiful addition to not too small tropical or rainforest terrariums. It draws attention during flowering with its dark red and purple flower spikes.
Profile
| Tillandsia festucoides | |
| Cultivation Options | Epiphytic, lithophytic, or as a floating decoration |
| Height | Approx. 10 - 30 cm |
| Temperature | 15 - 25 °C, temporarily tolerates up to 30 °C |
| Humidity | 50 - 70 %, higher humidity beneficial during flowering period |
| Light Requirement | Bright, indirect light; can tolerate direct morning sun |
| Watering | Regular spraying with soft water |
| Fertilization | Every 2 months with diluted liquid fertilizer for bromeliads |
| Propagation | Offsets (pups) after the flowering period |
| Suitable for | Small to medium-sized terrariums, epiphyte trees, air terrariums |
| Cultivation Options |
| Epiphytic, lithophytic, or as a floating decoration |
| Height |
| Approx. 10 - 30 cm |
| Temperature |
| 15 - 25 °C, temporarily tolerates up to 30 °C |
| Humidity |
| 50 - 70 %, higher humidity beneficial during flowering period |
| Light Requirement |
| Bright, indirect light; can tolerate direct morning sun |
| Watering |
| Regular spraying with soft water |
| Fertilization |
| Every 2 months with diluted liquid fertilizer for bromeliads |
| Propagation |
| Offsets (pups) after the flowering period |
| Suitable for |
| Small to medium-sized terrariums, epiphyte trees, air terrariums |
Terrarienpflanzen
Our terrarium plants give every terrarium an individual, natural atmosphere and at the same time provide a healthy environment for all terrarium inhabitants. Our wide range of tropical, subtropical and even arid plants are easy to combine and enhance any terrascape. Whether it's strong succulents, subtle tillandsias, eye-catching neoregelias or wonderful orchids - we offer terrarium plants for different terrascapes from rainforest to desert.
General information
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