Description
About Tillandsia gardneri ‘Rio Deudo’
Tillandsia gardneri ‘Rio Deudo’ is a named locality selection, and locality matters a great deal with this species. Gardneri varies noticeably across its Brazilian range in leaf width, density and how silver it reads.
This clone is the more substantial of the two gardneri forms we carry. Leaves are broader and the rosette fuller, so mature plants at 6 to 7 inches have real presence rather than looking delicate.
The surface is what people notice. Fine dense trichomes give the leaves a soft matte finish closer to felt than to the chalky coat of a desert species, and the plant looks touchable.
Three grades run from 2 inches to 7 inches and up. Soft rose bracts and pale flowers follow, giving a gentler colour than the hard reds elsewhere in the genus.
Growing Tillandsia gardneri ‘Rio Deudo’: Care Guide
Brazilian forest rather than open desert, and a soft coat that holds water. Therefore water more often than a silver species but dry it properly.
- Light: Bright indirect light. Gentle morning sun is fine, but hard afternoon sun scorches the soft leaves.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 to 10 days. It wants more frequent water than desert species.
- Drying: Invert and shake. The fine down holds surface water, so dry within three hours.
- Airflow: Good airflow while drying, though humidity itself suits it well.
- Temperature: Comfortable from 50°F to 90°F. Protect from frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: No soil. Mount on cork or wood and handle it dry so the down is not flattened.
- Pups: Offsets follow bloom and cluster well. Leave them attached for a fuller plant.
See our Air Plant Care page, or find the Morro do Chapeu form in our Rare Air Plants.
