Tillandsia glabrior
epiphytic dry Tillandsia from South America. It requires no soil, thrives well in bright locations, and absorbs moisture through its leaves.
Tillandsia glabrior is a rather rare species native to dry regions of Mexico, particularly in Oaxaca and adjacent areas. It was described by Lyman B. Smith in 1953.
The name "glabrior" is derived from the Latin "glaber" and means "smooth" or "bald," which indicates its less densely hairy surface compared to other dry species.
Characteristics:
Tillandsia glabrior forms narrow, funnel-shaped rosettes with smooth, linear leaves that range in color from gray-green to slightly purplish. The leaf surface is significantly less covered with trichomes than in many other species. The inflorescence is slender and upright with reddish bracts and delicate purple flowers. This species grows slowly and is well adapted to drought.
Care Instructions:
Light: Very bright to full sun – ideal for locations with plenty of direct light.
Water: Lightly mist 1-2 times per week – less is more. Be sure to allow it to dry completely.
Humidity: Low to medium (40-60%) – very tolerant of dry indoor air.
Fertilizer: In spring and summer, 1-2 times per month with our special Tillandsia or orchid fertilizer in diluted form.
Temperature: 18-32 °C, heat-loving – keep frost-free at all times.
Note: This species is ideal for minimalist arrangements in dry interiors. Due to its smooth surface, it requires less water than other Tillandsias and prefers airy, bright conditions.
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.
