Tillandsia fuchsii var. gracilis (large)
Tillandsia fuchsii var. gracilis is a particularly delicate miniature tillandsia from Mexico and Guatemala. It is one of the most popular species for intricate decorations and was originally described as a separate species, but was later classified as a delicate variety of Tillandsia fuchsii.
Its name "gracilis" means "elegant" – and that perfectly describes this air plant.
Characteristics:
The plant forms a dense rosette of needle-like, silvery-white leaves that stand out in a star-like shape, giving it an almost web-like structure. During the flowering period, it develops a thin, often reddish flower stalk with a single violet flower. Due to its small size, Tillandsia fuchsii var. gracilis is ideal for mini arrangements, glass terrariums, or as part of larger groups of tillandsias.
Care Instructions:
Light: Very bright location, preferably with some direct sunlight
Water: Lightly mist 2-3 times a week, more often in hot weather
Humidity: Medium to high – sensitive to waterlogging
Fertilizer: In spring and summer, 1-2 times a month with our special tillandsia or orchid fertilizer in diluted form
Temperature: Ideal at 18-28 °C, always protect from frost
Note: This delicate species dries out more quickly than many larger tillandsias – regular but measured misting is particularly important. This species should not be submerged!
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.
