Tillandsia edithae
Tillandsia edithae is a rare, spectacularly blooming species from the rocky regions of Bolivia. It was described by Lyman B. Smith in 1953.
It is named after Edith Saurer, a supporter of botanical expeditions. This species is one of the few Tillandsias with bright red bracts and coral-colored flowers.
Characteristics:
Tillandsia edithae grows cliff-dwelling (lithophytic) in dry high altitudes. It forms compact, gray-green rosettes with thick, heavily scaly leaves. The short inflorescence bears striking red bracts from which salmon to coral-red tubular flowers emerge – a color scheme that is very rare among Tillandsias. It readily produces offsets and often grows in groups.
Care Instructions:
Light: Very bright to sunny – requires a lot of light for strong coloration and healthy growth.
Water: Spray vigorously 2–3 times per week or occasionally soak. Then allow to dry completely.
Humidity: Medium (40–60%) – drought-tolerant as long as good air movement is provided.
Fertilizer: We recommend using our special Tillandsia or orchid fertilizer in diluted form 1–2 times per month in spring and summer.
Temperature: 16–28 °C, tolerates short periods of temperatures around 5 °C as long as it is frost-free and dry.
Note: Ideal for airy mountings on stone or cork. Due to its spectacular bloom and robustness, it is a sought-after species among collectors. Very decorative in combination with other xerophytic Tillandsias.
Our greenhouses are equipped with modern energy screens and double glazing to efficiently save on heating costs. Additionally, we collect rainwater over the entire roof area of 9,000 square meters and use only this water to irrigate all our crops. We collect the rainwater in underground tanks with a total volume of 600,000 liters.
Since 2007, we have been heating our entire operation with a fully automated 850 kW wood chip heating system and a 100,000-liter buffer storage tank. Environmentally friendly and CO2-neutral. Only to support during very cold winter days and nights is a conventional oil heating system available.
Since 2014, the heating has been supported by a solar thermal system with an annual yield of about 20 megawatt-hours.
In 2020, we installed a photovoltaic system with 30 kW peak and have been producing more green electricity per year than our entire operation requires.
Since 2021, we use exclusively pots for our self-produced plants that are not only 100% recyclable but are also entirely made from recycled pots. To this end, we collect all used pots that arise in our operation and have them picked up in big bags by our pot supplier Göttinger. There, the pots are cleaned and processed in a water-free recycling facility into new pots that come back to us.
