Form and Care :
Vrieseas typically have long, broad, flat leaves. They are smooth and do not feature any spikes or points. The foliage ranges in color from light green to purplish red. Many varieties have variegation or banding on the leaves. Most Vrieseas form a rosette with their leaves that create a central tank. Vriesea flower spikes are often tall, broad, and colored with shades of brilliant red, yellow, and orange. Like many bromeliads, Vrieseas are primarily epiphytic so they take in water and nutrients through the central tank. Their roots act merely as anchors to hold the plant in a potting medium or on a substrate such as a slab of wood. Vrieseas can be fertilized using a slightly acidic fertilizer diluted to a quarter of the recommended strength or less. During the growing season, April through October, thoroughly coat the all surfaces of the foliage with the diluted solution at least twice a month.
Vriesea ( A bromeiads Species ) :
Getting to Know Vriesea
CARE AND CULTURE, CLASSIFICATION
COURTESY TO : www.bromeliads.infoBY Author: Melanie Dearringer
Vriesea is one of the forty genera of bromeliads. Within the Vriesea genus there are hundreds of different species and many more varieties and cultivars. Vrieseas are native to Central and South America, but are grown as indoor plants throughout the world. The Vriesea genus includes many small to medium varieties, but also incorporates some of the largest growing bromeliads. Vrieseas are very popular for their spectacular and long-lasting flower spikes. The Vrieseas that do not produce showy flower spikes usually have interesting foliage. It is rare that a Vriesea would have both unique foliage and a distinct flower spike.
Sunlight :
Vrieseas are common indoor plants and many are easily found in garden centers. Vrieseas are very adaptable to a wide range of light. They will thrive in shaded areas as well as areas with bright indirect sunlight. Vrieseas are more tolerant of dense shade than other common bromeliads. The more sunlight a Vriesea receives, the more humidity it will need to avoid scorching the leaves. Vriesea foliage will also become more brilliant in color when exposed to more light. Moderate temperatures are preferred by Vrieseas, but they can withstand a range of low and high temperatures from just above freezing to 90F for a short period of time. They will not, however, survive a hard freeze. If you live in an area that is subject to freezing temperatures, do not plant your Vriesea outside. Consider using a container and moving it to a sheltered area once the weather becomes too harsh.
-A deep red and yellow Vriesea
Water :
Because of the epiphytic nature of the Vriesea, they are easily susceptible to crown rot. If the potting medium they are planted in remains soggy or moist, the roots will rot and ultimately destroy the plant. It is important to make sure the tank of the Vriesea remains wet, but not the potting medium. It is also necessary to flush the tank with fresh water weekly. This will prevent build up on the leaves and will also prevent insect development and stagnation. Using rainwater or distilled water to fill the tank will prevent a saline build up on the leaves. You can also provide humidity by misting the entire plant with a spray bottle.
Pups :
Like other bromeliads, Vrieseas produce only one flower during its life cycle. Once the plant is finished flowering it will produce offspring called pups. These pups are exact replicas of the mother plant and can be removed and repotted once they reach half the size of the original plant. Because pups are usually top heavy it may be necessary to stake the plant until mature roots have formed to anchor the plant in the potting medium. For more information on pups, check out our freeBeginner’s Guide to Bromeliad Pups.
Varieties :
Vriesea splendens is a popular indoor plant often sold in garden stores and nurseries. It is native to Suriname, Venezuela and French Guyana. The plant has broad flat leaves that arc out from the middle with lengths from 8-24 inches. The foliage is green with brown, horizontal banding. The flower spike, which is also broad and flat, is bright red and reaches high above the foliage. There are several variations of Vriesea splendens that offer alternate shades of foliage and colors of flower spikes.
Vriesea ‘Fireworks’ is a cultivar that was produced from two other varieties of Vriesea: the ‘Velva Wurthmann’ and ‘Rosa Morena’. The result is a beautiful plant with glossy, bright green leaves. The flower spike is deep red rising from the center of the plant with several branching, narrow, flat offshoots.
In the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies Photo Index of Bromeliads there are 198 species of Vrieseas listed and 713 cultivars. It is likely that any bromeliad enthusiast can find a unique plant that matches specific size requirements, need for light and color preferences both for foliage and flower spike. Be aware that many Vrieseas are larger in size than other bromeliads and the previous owner of the plant pups or a professional grower should be consulted regarding specifications for space requirements. Vrieseas also make impressive landscape plants if you live in a moderate climate. If your climate does not allow you to grow Vriesea outside, you must ensure you have space for them within your house, office, or greenhouse.
An article posted by the Australian Bromeliad Conference by Dr. Gilbert Samyn thoroughly discusses some of the history of Vrieseas cultivars. Dr. Samyn credits Belgian botanists and enthusiasts for being particularly successful in cultivating Vriesea hybrids. He sites the peak of enthusiasm for cultivating hybrids as being between 1879 and 1920. After that time, interest in unique plants decreased significantly. More people desired uniform, easy to care for varieties. Some of the hybrids have been lost since that time, other have been replicated in recent years and some have been consistently cultivated since the hybrids were first cultivated. Six cultivars that are still commonly used today are: V.’Mariae,’ V. ‘Wiotiana,’ V. ‘Cardinalis,’ V. ‘Intermedia,’ V. ‘Poelmanii’ and V. ‘Vigeri’. In more recent years interest in unique bromeliads has increased and the hybridization for Vrieseas is again more common.
-This red Vriesea is very vibrant in color.
One advantage for studying bromeliad hybridization is that certain species and cultivars can be found to promote specific desirable characteristics. One sought after characteristic in the bromeliad community is the plant’s resilience in cooler weather. A study showed that two Vriesea cultivars and two Vriesea species are more cold resistant than other Vriesea. V. ‘Marjan’, V. ‘Poelmanni’, V. hieroglyphicaand V. zamorensis were discovered to be the top four Vrieseas for cold tolerance.
Diversity :
Vrieseas are a truly diverse genera of bromeliad that includes popular and easy to find and care for plants particularly suited to the beginner bromeliad grower. Their high tolerance of various light levels make them an ideal indoor plant. Vrieseas also include unique and spectacular plants for the more advanced bromeliad enthusiast. Showy flower spikes and colorful, bowing foliage will earn the spotlight in any bromeliad collection. With the vast number of cultivars there is something for everyone within the Vriesea genera.
More Good Websites :
Caring for Blooming Vriesea :
How to Grow and Care for Vriesea Bromeliads in Containers :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vriesea
Popular Vriesea species :
- Vriesea gigantea :
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Common Name: Bromeliad
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Plant Height: 0.8
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Plant Spread: 1
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Use: pot, mass planting, accents, on-wall, indoors
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Plant Pruning: Remove spent flowers & leaves as they form.
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Soil Moisture: constantly moist
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Sunlight: warm low sun to dappled light
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Design: Suits tropical & contemporary designs
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Plant Origins: Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America
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Flower Colour: yellow
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Garden Type: soft-wooded perennial, succulent or epiphyte
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Plant Seasonality: Evergreen
Vriesea 'Intermedia'
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Common Name: Bromeliad
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Plant Height: 1
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Plant Spread: 1
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Use: pot, mass planting, accents, on-wall, indoors
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Plant Pruning: Remove spent flowers & leaves as they form.
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Soil Moisture: constantly moist
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Sunlight: warm low sun to dappled light
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Design: Suits tropical & contemporary designs
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Plant Origins: Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America
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Flower Colour: yellow & red
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Garden Type: soft-wooded perennial, succulent or epiphyte
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Plant Seasonality: Evergreen
-Vriesea hybrids
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Common Name: Bromeliad
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Plant Height: 1
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Plant Spread: 1
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Use: indoors, accents, mass planting, on-wall, pot
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Plant Pruning: Remove spent flowers & leaves as they form.
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Soil Moisture: constantly moist
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Sunlight: warm low sun to dappled light
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Design: Suits contemporary & tropical designs
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Plant Origins: Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America
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Flower Colour: red, yellow or green
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Garden Type: soft-wooded perennial, succulent or epiphyte
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Plant Seasonality: Evergreen
vriesea guttata
vriesea ospinae
vriesea saundersii
vriesea seeger
vriesea racinae :
vriesea red chestnut :
- vriesea splendens :
TILLANDSIA ( A bromeiads Species ) :
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tillandsia is a genus of around 730 species of evergreen, perennialflowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the forests, mountains and deserts of Central and South America, the southern United States and the West Indies.[2] Airplant is a common name for plants in this genus.[3]Most Tillandsia species are epiphytes – i.e. they normally grow without soilwhile attached to other plants. Some are aerophytes or air plants, which have no roots and grow on shifting desert soil.[4] Generally, the thinner-leafed varieties grow in rainy areas and the thick-leafed varieties in areas more subject to drought. Moisture and nutrients are gathered from the air (dust, decaying leaves and insect matter) through structures on the leaves calledtrichomes.
Description :
Tillandsia are epiphytes and need no soil because water and nutrients are absorbed through the leaves.[5] The roots are mainly used as anchors. Propagation is by seeds or by offsets called "pups". A single plant could yield up to a dozen pups. Offsets can be separated when about 2/3 the size of their mother to encourage a new colony.
Although not normally cultivated for their flowers, some Tillandsia will bloom on a regular basis. However, while some may exhibit a spectacularinflorescence, most flowers are generally small. Some species flowers may change color through the blooming cycle. Some species or varieties producefragrant flowers. In addition, it is quite common for some species to take on a different leaf color (usually changing from green to red), called "blushing", when about to flower. This is an indication that the plant is monocarpic(flowers once before dying) but offsets around the flowering plant will continue to thrive.
Tillandsia fasciculata
Scientific classification :
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Monocots
(unranked):Commelinids
Order:Poales
Family:Bromeliaceae
Subfamily:Tillandsioideae
Genus:Tillandsia
L.
Species :
Over 700 species
Synonyms[1]
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Acanthospora Spreng.
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Allardtia A.Dietr.
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Amalia Endl.
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Anoplophytum Beer
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Bonapartea Ruiz & Pav.
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Buonapartea G.Don
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Dendropogon Raf.
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Diaphoranthema Beer
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Misandra F.Dietr., nom. illeg.
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Phytarrhiza Vis.
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Pityrophyllum Beer
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Platystachys K.Koch
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Racinaea M.A.Spencer & L.B.Sm.
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×Racindsia Takiz.
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Renealmia L.
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Strepsia Steud.
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Viridantha Espejo
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Wallisia (Regel) E.Morren
Tillandsia schiedeana
Tillandsia recurvata and another Bromeliaceae species on electric wires near San Juan de los Morros,Venezuela
Fruit of Spanish moss
The genus Tillandsia was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Swedish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640–1693). Some common types of Tillandsia include air plant, ball moss (T. recurvata) and Spanish moss, the latter referring to T. usneoides in particular. The genus contains around 730 species,[6] traditionally divided into sevensubgenera:[7]
Taxonomy :
The genus Tillandsia was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Swedish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640–1693). Some common types of Tillandsia include air plant, ball moss (T. recurvata) and Spanish moss, the latter referring to T. usneoides in particular. The genus contains around 730 species,[6] traditionally divided into sevensubgenera:[7]
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Tillandsia subg. Allardtia (A. Dietr) Baker
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Tillandsia subg. Anoplophytum (Beer) Baker
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Tillandsia subg. Diaphoranthema (Beer) Baker
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Tillandsia subg. Phytarrhiza (Vis.) Baker
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Tillandsia subg. Pseudalcantarea Mez
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Tillandsia subg. Pseudo-Catopsis Baker
Four species are protected under CITES II:[8]
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Tillandsia harrisii
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Tillandsia kammii
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Tillandsia mauryana
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Tillandsia xerographica
Ecology :
Tillandsia species grow through a process called the CAM cycle, where they close their stomata during the day to prevent water loss and open them at night to fix carbon dioxide and release oxygen.[9] Temperature is not critical, the range being from 32 °C (90 °F) down to 10 °C (50 °F). They are sensitive to frost, except for the hardiest species, T. usneoides, which can tolerate night-time frosts down to about −10 °C (14 °F).[citation needed]
References :
-"World Checklist of Selected Plant Families".
-Jump up^ RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. ISBN 1405332964.
-Jump up^ "Tillandsia". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database.USDA. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
-Jump up^ Galán de Mera, A., M. A. Hagen & J. A. Vicente Orellana (1999) Aerophyte, a New Life Form in Raunkiaer's Classification? Journal of Vegetation Science 10 (1): 65-68
-Jump up^ Isley, Paul T. (2009). Tillandsia II : the world's most unusual airplants. Redondo Beach, Calif.: Botanical Press. ISBN 0981701019.
-Jump up^ "The Plant List". Retrieved 21 December 2014.
-Jump up^ Tania Chew, Efraín De Luna & Dolores González (2010). "Phylogenetic relationships of the pseudobulbous Tillandsia species (Bromeliaceae) inferred from cladistic analyses of ITS 2, 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene, and ETS sequences" (PDF). Systematic Botany 35 (1): 86–95.doi:10.1600/036364410790862632. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015.
-Jump up^ "Appendices I, II and III valid from 5 February 2015*". CITES. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
-Jump up^ David H. Benzing (2008). Vascular Epiphytes: General Biology and Related Biota. Cambridge University Press. p. 53.ISBN 9780521048958.
Video : Easy To Grow Air Plants / My Air Plant Tillandsia Collection care tips and tricks for happy Plants
Air Plant Care Instructions :
courtesy to : www.airplant.com/indcare.
It is important to maintain Tillandsias properly
The key factors are Light, Water, and Air Circulation
Indoor Care
Light:
Lighting for Tillandsias should be bright but filtered (April - October). They should not be left in the direct sun in the summer months (this will cause the plant to become sunburned ). Tillandsias love direct sun (November - March). Tillandsias may be grown in the house directly in front of a window. Fresh moving air is advisable, but remember, the most important care need is bright filtered light.
BEWARE: Trees, overhangs and window tinting can rob your plants of needed light. Place plants no further away than 3 feet in front of a bright window.
Artificial Light:
Full spectrum artificial light (fluorescent) is best. Plant should be no further than 36" from the fluorescent tubes and can be as close as 6". A four-tube 48" fixture works well. Bulbs can be any full spectrum type Gro-Lux, Repta-Sun, Vita-Lite, etc. Light should be set with a timer, 12 hours per day.
Water:
Thoroughly wet your Tillandsia 2-3 times per week; more often in a hot, dry environment; less often in a cool, humid one. Plants should be given enough light and air circulation to dry in no longer than 4 hours after watering. Spray misting is insufficient as the sole means of watering but may be beneficial between regular waterings in dry climates to increase the humidity.
If the plant is in a shell, be sure to empty the water out. Tillandsias will not survive in standing water.
Under-watering is evidenced by an exaggerating of the natural concave curve of each leaf.
Air Circulation:
Following each watering, Tillandsias should be given enough light and air circulation to dry in 4 hours or less. Do not keep plants constantly wet or moist.
Temperature:
Optimum temperature range for tillandsias is 50 - 90 degrees F.
Fertilizer:
Use Bromeliad fertilizer (17-8-22) twice a month. It is GREAT for blooming and reproduction! Other water-soluble fertilizers can be used at 1/4 strength (Rapid Grow, Miracle-Grow, etc.) if Bromeliad fertilizer is not available.
Tillandsias in Vivariums and Other Animal Enclosures:
Enclosures must have at least one side of screen mesh. Full spectrum fluorescent lighting is Ideal full spectrum incandescent lighting will be sufficient when care is taken to avoid placing heat producing bulbs too close to plants The higher the wattage, the more distance should be used to avoid burning or heat-damage to plants. Good air circulation and proper watering schedule must be maintained.
Mounting Tillandsias:
Mount plants on almost anything, - Driftwood, manzanita, seashells, coral, lava rock, crystals using a non - water soluble glue such as E-6000 Adhesive. Set plants on the prospective mount. If you like the arrangement, proceed. Place adhesive on mount, and then place plants onto that area. Larger plants may be supported with fishing line until glue dries. Cover exposed adhesive area with sawdust or sand to camouflage.
Placement in Store:
Tillandsias are perfect impulse-buys. Display near the cash register. They appeal to bird and reptile owners, and specialty plant collectors, such as orchid and cactus growers.
Unmounted (Bareroot) Plants:
Most of your sales can be bareroot plants! A full stock of unmounted plants enables customers to create their own arrangements. Remove any plant from your display that shows signs of neglect.
Outdoor Care :
Light:
Lighting for Tillandsias should be bright but filtered (April - October). Tillandsias love direct sun (November - March). They grow best in a greenhouse or a frost - protected, shaded patio. They also can be grown in the house directly in front of a window. Fresh moving air is advisable but remember the most important care need is bright filtered light.
Water:
Thoroughly wet your Tillandsia 2-3 times per week; more often in a hot, dry environment; less often in a cool, humid one. Plants should be given enough light and air circulation to dry in no longer than 4 hours after watering. Spray misting is insufficient as the sole means of watering but may be beneficial between regular waterings in dry climates to increase the humidity. If the plant is in a shell, be sure to empty the water out. Tillandsias will not survive in standing water. An exaggerating of natural concave curve of each leaf is evidence of under-watering.
Temperature:
Optimum temperature range for tillandsias kept outdoors is 50 - 90 degrees F.
Fertilizer:
Use Bromeliad fertilizer (17-8-22) twice a month. It is GREAT for blooming and reproduction! Other water-soluble fertilizers can be used at 1/4 strength (Rapid Grow, Miracle-Grow, etc.) if Bromeliad fertilizer is not available.
Air Plant Terrariums & Tillandsia Care
Tillandsia species :
More than 700 Species with Tillandsia but we will review only the famous and popular with Vivarium :
Follow this site :
- Tillandsia bulbosa
- Tillandsia butzii
- Tillandsia fasciculata
- Tillandsia cyanea :
- Tillandsia ionantha
- Tillandsia flabellata :
- tillandsia funckiana :
- tillandsia andreana :
- tillandsia tectorum :
- tillandsia COTTON CANDY PURPLE :