Family: Bromeliad
Sub-Family: Tillandsioideae:
Genus: Tillandsia
Sub-Genus:
Native distribution and habitat: T. gardneri has a wide geographical distribution
from Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil (as far south as Rio Grande do Sul), and
Trinidad & Tobago. The attractive plant grows from near sea level to 1600 m.
Growth habit: T. gardneri grows as an epiphyte on trees and other plants in
tropical dry areas but will grow on almost anything. Due to its high ornamental
value and slow growth this species led to illegal over-collection in the wild to
meet commercial demands. It can range in size of about 120 mm to 150 mm
tall and 50 mm - 70 mm wide. As they mature, their bottom leaves will cascade
downward to give this air plant a very unique shape. The arched, folded leaves
act as collectors for dew or mist and when the flower head is heavy with seed
it can droop downwards.
Foliage: The plant is characterized by wide, fuzzy, silver-green leaves which are
heavily covered with silver trichomes, so much so the edge of the leaf has a
fuzzy appearance. As the plant matures, the bottom leaves will cascade downward
to give this air plant a distinctive shape.
Flowers: The relatively large rounded flower head has soft coral pink bracts
while the flowers are a brighter red pink colour. The flower stem is quite soft
and flexible, so as the flower head becomes heavy with seed it can droop
downwards.
Seed: As the seed pods mature they become thick and long, they can take over
a year to ripen. In Melbourne the seed ripens in October.
Pups: Produces pups from the inside the crown leaves and grow upwards in a
negative geotropical manner.
Cultivation: T. gardneri is a soft, feathery, white species that is beautifully symmetrical
when grown well. While it prefers cooler, more humid conditions with
bright light it is adaptable to dryer conditions.
Availability: Sometimes available.
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