Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela

600 - 1,200 m elevation

Epiphytic on oak and pine-oak trees and shrubs, Saxicolous on rocky slopes and cliffs

Tillandsia brachycaulos

Tillandsia brachycaulos Schlechtendal (1845)

[ Etymology ] brachy + caulos in Latin (short + stem)

Leaves turn bright red during the flowering period.
Tillandsia velutina produces a very short inflorescence, whereas flowers of Tillandsia brachycaulos grow directly from the growing point.
Tillandsia abdita was defined by trichomes on the surface of floral bracts. Trichomes are not on the surface of floral bracts of Tillandsia brachycaulos and Tillandsia velutina. T. abdita became a synonym of T. brachycaulos.

[ Small size ] W 250 x H 100 mm
[ Petal ] Purple
[ Bract ] Red
[ Summer bloomer ] June
[ Flowering ] for 6 days (max.)

[ Cultivar ]
'Selecta' (The whole foliage turns bright red.)

[ Plant ]
[ Inflorescence ]
[ Flower ]
[ Root ]
[ Offset ]

[ 2nd Plant 2016 - ]

Classification

genus Tillandsia

[ Variety ]
var. brachycaulos
var. multiflora => Tillandsia x 'Zacapa'

[ Synonyms ]
Tillandsia (Tillandsia) abdita L. B. Smith (1961)
Tillandsia (Tillandsia) bradeana Mez and Tonduz (1916)
Tillandsia flammea Mez (1935)

Cultivation

Informations summarized here are based on our experiences, and TrekGEO does not guarantee the results by cultivating in the same or similar conditions described here. Even a species of Tillandsia differs substantially between individuals, and is very sensitive in changes of environments. Applicatons of any idea inspired by this site should be at your own risks.

3rd Plant

Cultivation condition
Partial shade, Dipping,
Shelving, Full air conditioning

May 2003 Many roots began to grow.

Cultivation condition up to this point
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, Full air conditioning

Nov. 2021 It keeps growing.

Cultivation condition up to this point
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, Summer air conditioning

Apr. 2020 It keeps growing.

Cultivation condition up to this point
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, No air conditioning

Apr. 2018 It keeps growing.

July 2017 Roots began to grow.

2nd Plant

Cultivation condition
Partial sun, Dipping,
Shelving, Full air conditioning

July 2023 Roots began to grow.

Apr. 2022 Roots began to grow.

Cultivation condition up to this point
Partial sun, Long soaking,
Shelving, Full air conditioning

Nov. 2021 It keeps growing.

July 2020 Roots began to grow.

Cultivation condition up to this point
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, Summer air conditioning

Apr. 2020 It keeps growing.

Aug. 2018 2 offsets began to grow at base of the inflorescence.
June 2018 It bloomed.
May 2018 An inflorescence began to grow.

Cultivation condition up to this point
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, No air conditioning

Apr. 2018 It keeps growing.

June 2017 Roots began to grow.

Sept. 2016 A pup in a good condition.

1st Plant

Cultivation condition
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, No air conditioning

Oct. 2006 Moved to another site. Cultivation condition is almost same as the previous site.
June 2006 The two roots began to grow.

July 2005 The original foliage has died.

Dec. 2004 The second offset began to grow.
Sept. 2004 An offset began to grow.
Aug. 2004 Its condition is very bad.
Aug. 2004 The inflorescence died without blooming because of scale insects (Coccidea) or hot and humid weather.
Aug. 2004 The inflorescence has died. The temperature rises above 30 °C for 40 days, and the highest temperature was over 39 °C.
June 2004 An inflorescence with ruby red color began to grow.

Dec. 2003 The foliage become healthy. Tips of leaves turned red.
Sept. 2003 Tips of leaves are dying.