Tillandsia Cyanea in Bloom
 

I rescued a tillandsia cyanea from being drowned at Walmart and brought it home. It did nicely for a few months, and then started growing flower buds. At the same time, I had to prepare go to college, and I wanted to take it with me, along with a few plants and other orchids I've grown attached to.

This morning, the day of the move to my dorm, I found the flower bud had finally opened after weeks of waiting. I wish I had had a good camera to capture it with, but I'm glad I got at least a few good pictures on my phone this morning because the move shredded the poor flower. Although online articles I read say the flower doesn't have a scent, I discovered it to have a faint yet wonderfully spicy scent in the morning time.

Let's hope it continues to thrive in my dorm!

Good luck with your studies. Seems you already have it growing such lovely things!

Two more flowers appeared and opened up recently.

Very VERY nice Itazura! :bowing:

Now quit taking flower pictures and start studying!! :rofl:

Beautiful!

Which of the flower colours is nearest to 'true'?
I always have problems getting blues/purples and reds just right. I take the same pic with my mobile, then with hubbies, and both are way out! :biggrin:

My apologies, I should have waited for the best light conditions to take the picture, but excitement and my schedule got in the way. I would say the truest color is a nice dark purple (with a few hints of blue). This weekend I took a picture of yet another newly-opened flower when the light was at its best and edited it to make it match the true colors.


And WaterWitchin, there's always time for flower pictures! :)

That's a spectacular color! And yes, Itazura, I know. It's that reflex momma gets from when hers were in college... appears it still works. :rofl:

This post inspired me to buy one a few weeks ago - today I've been rewarded with a bloom, soo happy.

https://i.imgur.com/FuuT0wO.jpg

It's still in the minute little pot it came in - any cultural tips? It's outside in bright shade at the moment. Temps will go down to 12C at night soon (winter), days 20-25C.

It's been moved from genus Tillandsia to Wallisia.

It's an epiphyte from forests with even temperature, humidity and water all year. This makes it a little more tricky to grow than most house plants.

It likes even warm and humid conditions all year, not too hot and not too cold, without a lot of variation. 15C is probably the minimum for looking good all the time.

Winter central heating with low humidity is a problem.

The roots normally grow attached to a branch in leaf litter. It requires very loose potting medium, but it shouldn't dry out at the roots ever.

I'm glad I noticed this thread. I definitely learned something new today.

Interesting how botanists look at a species/genus, along with name changes. Reminds me of Vriesea espinosae being transferred to Tillandsia espinosae.