Tillandsia brachycaulos var. abdita (extra-large)
Tillandsia brachycaulos var. abdita is an attractive variety of the widely distributed Tillandsia brachycaulos, native to Mexico and parts of Central America. It was described as a variety by Lyman B. Smith. The addition of "abdita" means "hidden" or "inconspicuous" and may refer to its previous low recognition or hidden growth locations.
Features:
This Tillandsia forms a dense, compact rosette with smooth, shiny leaves that are green to slightly reddish depending on light intensity. During the flowering period, the entire plant turns bright red. The flowers are purple and tubular – a striking contrast to the red foliage.
Care Instructions:
Light: Bright to partially shaded; direct sunlight promotes red coloration, but acclimatize carefully to intense light. Water: Mist 2–3 times per week or occasionally soak; good drying is essential. Humidity: Medium to high (50%+), fresh air and air movement encourage growth. 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, sensitive to cold – do not keep below 10 °C.
Note: Particularly decorative in containers or on wood; popular for its intense coloration during flowering. Ideal for bright windowsills, display cases, or terrariums.
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.
