Description
About Tillandsia Eric Knobloch
Tillandsia Eric Knobloch is a named clone of the natural hybrid between Tillandsia streptophylla and Tillandsia brachycaulos, a cross that occurs in the wild in Mexico where both parent species overlap. The name attaches to this particular clone rather than to a registered breeding program.
It shows real intermediate form. The leaves carry the fine, flat trichome scales of streptophylla over a slightly bulbous base, twisting and curling partway between that parent’s tight curl and brachycaulos’s straighter blade. At bloom, the leaves and bracts flush red around purple flowers, a color combination pulled straight from the brachycaulos side.
Our stock spans six size grades, from a 2-inch Mini up through an 11-12 inch Giant, so a shop can offer this hybrid at nearly any price point without carrying six different plants.
Because brachycaulos is one of our confirmed tank-forming species, and this hybrid crosses it with the non-tank streptophylla, we grow and sell it as a standard invert-and-dry plant, not a tank species. Water it accordingly.
Its color-shift-at-bloom habit and unusual twisting form make it a strong talking-point plant for a display case, distinct from either parent species on its own.
Growing Tillandsia Eric Knobloch: Care Guide
Run it mesic, between its two parents’ needs. Soak 5-10 days, then invert and shake dry so water doesn’t collect at the bulbous base.
- Water: Soak 5-10 days, then invert and shake dry.
- Light: Bright indirect light; tolerates more humidity than a pure xeric species.
- Feeding: Diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer monthly supports growth across all six size grades.
- Bloom: Leaves and bracts flush red around purple flowers at flowering.
- Mounting: Larger grades do well on Tillandsia Wire.
Feed it TillyBoost Fertilizer on a regular cycle, browse more hybrid forms in our Air Plants – Tillandsias category, or check the air plant care guide for soak-and-dry basics.
