What to Do After Tillandsia Flowers
After Tillandsia finishes its blooming period, many enthusiasts mistakenly believe that the plant loses its ornamental value. In fact, this air plant has unique growth characteristics. With scientific care methods, not only can the lifespan of the mother plant be extended, but new plants can also be cultivated to bloom again. Master the following four core care steps to keep Tillandsia displaying its tropical charm.
Key Post-Flowering Care Steps
1. Flower Stem Pruning Technique
After the flowers have completely wilted, use pruning shears disinfected with alcohol to make a diagonal cut 2cm away from the base of the flower stem. Be sure to retain 3-4 healthy bracts, which store plant growth hormones and can promote the germination of side buds. Avoid touching the积水 area of the plant's core during the operation, and place the cut in a well-ventilated area for 2 hours to allow the cut surface to form a callus.
2. Root System Update Plan
Choose a red pottery pot with a mixed substrate of bark and sphagnum moss in a 7:3 ratio. Stop watering 3 days before repotting to soften the roots. Retain 3-5 main roots during pruning, and untangle the root ball to spread out like an umbrella. After potting, water thoroughly with a 2000x solution of 101 Vitality, and place it in a scattered light environment for 15 days to recover.
3. Plant Propagation Tips
When the daughter plants grow to 1/3 the size of the mother plant, perform the division in the morning when the humidity is over 70%. Use a scalpel to cut at a 45-degree angle, retaining 2-3 aerial roots of the daughter plant. After applying charcoal powder to the wound, wrap the base with wet sphagnum moss and suspend it for care. Mist 3 times a day to maintain humidity, and new roots should appear after 20 days.
4. Nutrition Supplement Strategy
Begin applying a special bromeliad fertilizer 30 days after flowering, adjusting the N-P-K ratio to 1:2:3. Spray the leaves twice a month and complement with a 5000x solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate for root watering. In high temperatures, add calcium and magnesium fertilizers to prevent leaf tip burn, and switch to kelp extract in winter to maintain activity.
Environmental Control Points
Maintain a temperature difference of 25-28°C during the day and 18-20°C at night, with the air humidity at 60-70%. Ensure 4 hours of soft light every day, and use a 40% shade net to filter strong light. Ventilate with a cyclic fan twice a week to prevent red spider mites and other pests and diseases.
Through systematic care, the mother plant can survive for 2-3 years continuously producing new plants, and the daughter plants can bloom after 12-18 months of cultivation. Master the growth rhythm of Tillandsia, combined with scientific care methods, and you can enjoy its unique spike inflorescence and bright bracts year after year.