Family: Bromeliad
Sub-Family: Tillandsioideae:
Genus: Tillandsia
Sub-Genus:
var. ionantha
var. vanhyningii M.B.Foster
var. stricta hort ex Koide
forma fastigiata Koide
var. maxima Ehlers
Native distribution and habitat: T. ionantha grows as an epiphyte in Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua in a range of conditions from moist forests to exposed deciduous trees and rocks in arid regions, at altitudes of 450 m to 2,000 m. T. ionatha v fuego is a cultivar that is gown in Guatemalan nurseries by the thousands and exported all over the world.
Growth habit: There are many forms of this plant. In Its miniature form, creates dense masses of tufting, silvery rosettes reaches only 40 mm to 100 mm in height. The small spike like leaves, seldom over 50 mm, are covered with silvery scales. As the ionathas grow into colonies they can exhibit eccentric and
fascinating habits of growth.
Foliage: As they begin to flower, the leaves of all T. ionantha’s change colour, and T. ionantha v fuego is a particularly colourful form of this plant. It can keep the vibrant colour for nearly a year.
Flowers: When the species starts to flower, the entire plant turns vivid rosy red and the narrow, tubular flowers are large for the size of the plant, topping the foliage by 25 mm to 50 mm. The petals are vivid purple.
Seed:
Pups: All T ionantha varieties are prolific pup producers and will form multiplant clumps in just a few seasons
Cultivation: The plant can withstand very dry conditions so allow it to dry out completely after misting, withhold water in cooler periods. The plant is more prone to rot than T. ionantha Mexican form so allow it to dry out completely and watering sparingly in winter. Dale W. Jenkins of the Sarasota Bromeliad Society suggests the species is hardy with survival and little or no damage at -3 °c for several hours. 1
Availability: A common plant and often available. Some growers suggest
T. ionantha fuego is a common form of this species.
1 http://fcbs.org/articles/cold_sensitivity_of_bromeliads.htm
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