Tillandsiya Anita. Care, reproduction and transplantation

Tillandsia of the Bromeliov family belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants, which number more than 500 species. They are especially widespread in America in tropical and subtropical areas (in Chile, Central America, Mexico, Argentina). Their name they received in honor of the botanist from Sweden, E. Tillands (1640 - 1693gg).

There are many kinds of original Tillandsia of a wide variety of shades - from blue-blue to yellowish-green. The following are distinguished by species: double-edged, living in Costa Rica; Bulbaceous, growing from Mexico to Brazil; Lindenes growing in Ecuador; Swarthy, growing in the tropical moist forests of America, etc.

Description of Tillandsia

In the form of inflorescences, there are palmiformes, paniculate thallandsia, etc. They are all beautiful and original in form and habitat.

The size of the leaves is small - from 5 to 35 cm. According to their color, the leaves are dark green, they also occur with a reddish-brown tinge. In form - narrow, slightly curved and form a dense rosette. The width of the leaves is 15 mm. In the center of the rosette, a dense spicate-shaped elliptical shape forms an inflorescence with bright pink bracts arranged by two adjacent rows. Small blue-violet tiltandsii (25 mm) with pointed bent petals unexpectedly blossom and blossom only one day. There are flowers among them with other shades.

Tillandsia are also unusual in that the inflorescences unfold alternately. Very rarely there are two or more. Total of them for the entire flowering period is dissolved to 20 pieces.

Habitat features

In the place of their dwelling, these are very original flowers. Tillandsia grows on trees, less often on rocks and quite rarely on soils. They can cling to the bark of a tree, to snag with the remains of the bark and safely grow on them. For example, in Venezuela there is a slender Tillandsia, growing on electric wires.

Some species of Tillandsia are used as ornamental-deciduous plants due to the unusual shape and originality of habitats. They can grow at home, but only if certain rules of care for them are observed.

Tillandscia anita, hybrid

Tillandsia anita - a hybrid (highly decorative) of Tillandsia blue ("Tillandsia cyanea").

Bright-violet flower in connection with its light-lovingness can well take root on a balcony and loggia on a wooden or plastic stand, and also in a pot on the windowsill. They can be placed on the sites near the wall, with various stands and shelves installed on them. However, it must be remembered that the Tillandia anita, like other species, does not like the direct rays of the sun and drafts.

Tillandsya Blue has been known in culture since 1867. Its homeland is the forest areas of Ecuador and Peru, which are located at an altitude of 550 to 1000 meters above sea level. The Latin name of this plant is "Tillandsia cyanea". These are blue-violet flowers that bloom unexpectedly and live one day.

Growing house tillandsia, care

The conditions for them are special, as they are unusual flowers. Tillandsya is a tropical plant. For its safe growth and flowering in summer, the ambient air temperature in the room should be no less than 18-28 ° C, in winter - 18-20 ° C.

The plant should be kept in a light, but shaded place from direct sunlight, as in insufficient illumination its leaves lose their freshness and decorativeness, and the inflorescence acquires pale shades.

Tillandsia anita, as well as other species, requires constant, but moderate watering and spraying. Insufficiency of moisture leads to drying of the tips of the leaves and their rounding, and drying - to their dropping. The procedure should be carried out soft (this flower does not tolerate water containing lime) warm water once a day in dry weather in warmer seasons, the rest of the time - enough once a week or a month, taking into account the humidity. During flowering plants should be watered very carefully, preventing water from getting onto its flower stem.

Fertilizing and reproduction

Tillandzia anita and Tillandsia blue require fertilizing once every 14 days with liquid fertilizers for houseplants, taken in a volume 2 times less than the recommended dose in the instruction.

Tillandsia breeds mostly by offspring and, very rarely, by seeds. Branch children are produced in spring and summer. Lateral shoots appear after the flowering of the plant. After appearing at them 4-6 leaves and additional roots, they should be carefully separated from the base of the flower. If there are cuts from the knife, they need to be sprinkled with chopped charcoal. Escape should be dropped into a container and put in a slightly shaded place. The air temperature should be 22-25 ° C. Approximately in 2 years, probably even earlier, flowering will begin.

The substrate for all plants must be loose. Its composition: a mixture of shallow spruce or fir bark, land with leaves, sand, peat, humus, moss, fern roots and fragmented pieces of charcoal. In connection with the weak development of the roots, it is necessary to compact the plant in the soil.

Fighting diseases and pests

Like all bromeliads, it is resistant to pests and diseases and thillandsia. Care is still needed for them, since their endurance is relative and not the same in different species.

Most of all Tillandsia suffer from a bromeliad shield. These are visible to the naked eye shields of insects on the underside of leaves. Overcome the scabbard can be removed from the leaves with the help of sticks (plastic or wooden), without damaging the surface of the leaves themselves. Then the leaves are washed well with soapy water.

Tillandsia can also be prone to viral and fungal diseases. If there were dark spots on the leaves, and their transparency increased, then the plant became infected. It is necessary to remove diseased leaves and to ventilate the room. Most of the plants are exposed to diseases in dense plantings, where there is not enough light and fresh air.

Unusual in appearance Tillandsiya beautifully decorate any room and give its design a special sophistication and originality. The original exotic flower - Tillandsia anita - requires special care when growing it at home. Its unusual attracts the attention of many fans of domestic plants.