Use this forum to discuss matters relating to xeric Bromeliads such as Hechtia, Dyckia, Puya, Tillandsia and related species. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.
I've enjoyed your trip Very much. Thanks for sharing it with us. I believe I can put names to most of the tillandsias here.
First 3 and 18 Till. grandis
pic 4 Till. juncea
pic 5 and 7 till. borgaei
pic 6 Till. dugesii
pic 10,15,16 Till. atroviridipetala
pic. 11 Catopsis hahnii
pic 12 Till. ignesia
pic 13 Till. magnusiana
pic 14 Till. butzii
pic 19 Till. ionantha
last two if it is a bit high and wetter Till. punctulata
And what is the Bromeliad with the big red inflorescence -- it was all over and amazing.
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And yes, the last two in the previous post were at a higher elevation in a pseudo-cloud forest remnant. They were in the same area as the two photos in this post.
The upside down ones are T. atroveridapetalas. They don't like water staying in their leaf sheaths or they will rot so the only ones you will see are always clinging to the undersides of limbs. It isn't seleriana but either T. macdougallii or T. oaxacana. The big one with the red inflorescence is T. carlos-hankii. A lot of the big ones you have shown only reproduce from seed and then die and most don't like it at sea level although a few people do really well with them in the San francisco area.
Anybody have any idea of the Broms on the cliffs? I thought they could only do that in a rainy climate. How do they survive dry AND full sun? Or are those Tillandsia's looking like Broms? Even still..that full sun and dry?
I've had no troubles with Tillandsia's of all shapes and sizes...except, T.funkiana and T.xerographica. T. funkiana is such a choice plant too. Just will not take even brief dips to freezing even under cover. T.xerographica might do well...then flowers. Only the pups will not take winters like the now dead parents did. So,if you bring them in,you can keep them going.
The big ones are Tillandsia grandis. Most Tillandsias transpire or breath ( exchange gasses at night). During the day there stomata are closed as a way of conserving water. The reason most hi altitude tillandsias will not live at sea level is the stomata require a very low temperature to open at night. Not freezing of course but at least a 30 degree or higher drop in temperature. What happens if they can't is they slowly suffocate and in a lot of cases almost over night. I'v collected plants in Ecuador in the andes mountains and had them literally fall apart before I got to the airport.
Thanks Bob. One more question, in pics like 1780, Do you know what that gesneriad (or?) is blooming red flowers? I'm looking into what I can stick on tree's...I know I have had Lipstick plants over the years..but one that can THAT kind of dry is perfect for California.
Stan, that was actually a tall hebaceous perennial, something like a Clinopodium. I believe Greg knows. It was growing in the soil and not as an epiphyte -- that shot was of a tillandsia that was maybe 3+ feet off the ground, permitting overlap with the shrub.