Description
About blooming Tillandsia disticha
This is the blooming Tillandsia disticha v. petrea listing. It is the same rock-form disticha as our base listing, but shipped in spike. Stock is added here only when a crop blooms, so it is available for a limited time.
The inflorescence is the point. Disticha throws a tall, branched spike well above the leaves. The bracts are narrow and green to red-tinged, and the flowers are small and yellow. On the petrea form the spike stands stiff and straight, like a candelabra.
The plant itself is 4 to 6 inches. It has a silver bulbous base with stiff, fan-like leaves in two ranks, which is what the name disticha means.
A spike lasts for weeks. Because the flowers open a few at a time along it, a plant bought in early spike stays in show for a month or more.
For a shop this is the disticha to put on the counter. The spike sells the plant on sight. Once it fades, the mother pups from the base, so the buyer keeps the plant and also gets the offsets.
Growing blooming Tillandsia disticha: Care Guide
Care in bloom is the same as for the species, with one change: keep the spike dry. So mist the leaves rather than soaking the whole plant. Water sitting in the bracts shortens the display, and it can also rot the stem. Bright light with some sun keeps the bracts coloured and the spike upright. The bulb must still drain after any wetting. Once the last flower fades, go back to a normal soak-and-drain routine. Then leave the spike on until it dries, because pups follow within a few months.
- Light: Bright light with direct sun for part of the day.
- Water: Mist every few days while in spike. Soak 15 minutes every 10 to 14 days after bloom.
- Drying: Invert and shake. The bulb traps water.
- Airflow: Good airflow always.
- Temperature: 45°F to 95°F. No frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength; skip while in flower.
- Mounting: Glue the bulb to rock or cork. Never bury the base.
- Pups: Two or three from the base after bloom.
See the Tillandsia disticha v. petrea base listing for year-round stock, browse more Currently in Bloom, or read our air plant care guide.
