Tillandsia polystachia (large)
Epiphytic tropical Tillandsia from South America. It requires no soil, thrives well in semi-shaded locations, and absorbs moisture through its leaves.
Tillandsia polystachia is a widely distributed species from Central and South America, where it occurs from Mexico to the northern regions of Argentina. It prefers to grow in wetter forests on trees or rocks. The species was first described in 1753 by Carl von Linné as Vriesea polystachia and later assigned to the genus Tillandsia.
The name "polystachia" means "many-stemmed" or "many-flowered" and refers to the richly branched inflorescence.
Characteristics:
This species forms large, funnel-shaped rosettes with green, slightly silvery leaves. The striking inflorescence consists of several upright spikes with bright yellow bracts and violet-blue flowers that appear sequentially. Under ideal conditions, the plant can reach a height of up to 40 cm, making it one of the more impressive representatives of the genus.
Care Instructions:
Light: Bright to semi-shaded, no direct midday sun.
Water: Spray generously 2–3 times a week or soak once a week. Occasionally fill the rosette with water (if standing).
Humidity: Medium to high (above 60%), good air circulation is important.
Fertilizer: In spring and summer, fertilize 1–2 times a month with our special Tillandsia or orchid fertilizer in diluted form.
Temperature: 18–30 °C, keep frost-free (not below 10 °C).
Note: Tillandsia polystachia is ideal for larger arrangements or as a solitary plant. Due to its size and prominent inflorescence, a stable upright support is recommended – for example, on wood, in baskets, or large bromeliad holders.
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.
