United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahamas, Havana, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Caicos Islands, Dominica, Colombia, Venezuela

0 - 1,500 m elevation

Epiphytic

Tillandsia balbisiana

Tillandsia (Tillandsia) balbisiana Schultes f. (1830)

[ Etymology ] Giovanni Battista Balbis (1765 - 1831), a botanist

Long leaves grows from the bulbous base. Produces seeds easily by self-pollination.
There is a wide variations of the size.
It is sensitive to cold.

[ Small size ] W 40 x H 200 mm
[ Petal ] Purple
[ Bract ] Red
[ Summer bloomer ] July - August
[ Flowering ] for 19 days (max.)

[ Plant ]
[ Inflorescence ]
[ Flower ]
[ Leaf ]
[ Root ]
[ Offset ]
[ Capsule ]
[ Seed ]
[ Seedling ]

[ 3rd Plant 2019 - ]

Classification

genus Tillandsia
subgenus Tillandsia

[ Synonyms ]
Northern needleleaf
Tillandsia cubensis Gandoger (1920)
Tillandsia dressleri L. B. Smith (1962)
Tillandsia havanensis Beer (1856)
Tillandsia polystachia sensu J. F. Gmel
Tillandsia tenufolia Bertero ex Schultes f. (1830)
Tillandsia urbaniana Wittmack (1889)

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 sun, Dipping,
Shelving, Full air conditioning

July 2023 An offset began to grow at the bottom of the foliage.
Feb. 2023 Seed pods opened and seeds were scattered.

Nov. 2022 Seed pods began to grow.
July 2022 It flowered.
May 2022 An inflorescence began to grow.
May 2022 The growing point turned red.

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

Nov. 2021 It keeps growing.
Mar. 2021 A root began to grow.

Aug. 2020 Roots are growing pretty long.

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

Apr. 2020 It keeps growing.

Aug. 2019 3 roots began to grow.
July 2019 Good condition.

2nd Plant

Cultivation condition
Partial shade, Long soaking,
Shelving, Summer air conditioning

Jan. 2019 Suddenly it turned brown from the bottom of the foliage. It seems it was freezed.

Oct. 2018 Very good condition.

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.
May 2017 The center of the foliage turned red.

Sept. 2016 Good condition.

1st Plant

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

Aug. 2008 The original foliage has died and removed.

June 2007 The 3rd leaf of the offset began to spread out.

Oct. 2006 Moved to another site. Cultivation condition is almost same as the previous site.
Aug. 2006 The seed pod from the flower bloomed in Nov 2005 was opened, and seeds were scattered.
July 2006 An offset began to grow at the base of the foliage.
Feb. 2006 A seed pod began to grow from the flower bloomed in Nov 2005.

Nov. 2005 It flowered.
Oct. 2005 The tip of the inflorescence is coated by stickly liquid.
Aug. 2005 The center of the foliage turned red and an inflorescence began to grow.

Oct. 2004 Many roots began to grow.
Aug. 2004 The temperature rises above 30 °C for 40 days, and the highest temperature was over 39 °C.

Dec. 2003 Leaves turned red.
July 2003 The foliage is growing well.