Brachycaulos Air Plant Care

T. brachycaulos is among the most popular Tillandsia species, and it is a lovely air plant that you would want to highlight in your plant collection The plant is native to Central America, Mexico, and Venezuela and easily crosses with other species.

They may be encountered in fields at sea level to 2000 meters above sea level, as well as the desert shrub regions, rocky slopes, cloud forests, and even oak and pine woods in the wild. As you might be able to tell, the air plant adapts well to all climatic conditions and surroundings!

T. brachycaulos plants typically have a vivid green hue, but when given enough light or just before blooming, the air plant may flush in lovely tones of rich purple and, eventually, red. Many vivid purple flowers will start to emerge from the plant’s core as they start to bloom.

Propagation of the Air Plant 

The first step is to make that the plant is hydrated. For this, submerge the air plant in water for approximately three hours. Stretch the plant’s leaves carefully to expose the baby shoots in the middle. Slowly peel the plants from the base to extract the baby roots from the mother plant. As you detach the babies from the parent tillandsia brachycaulos air plants, please place them in the water-filled basin.

Lightly mist the baby shoots every day during the early afternoon or morning. Since tillandsias are known to be nocturnal and only breathe at night, they take up carbon dioxide in the daytime. The leaves cannot receive the gas from the air if they have a layer of water on them. 

Care for Tillandsia Brachycaulos

Tillandsia brachycaulos, sometimes referred to as the mesic air plant, is a stunning and simple-to-cultivate type of air plant. The brachycaulos air plant has beautiful purple flowers and amazing leaves ranging from green to crimson colors.

The average height and breadth of the air plant are around 4 to 7 inches and 10 inches, respectively. The following are some pointers for taking care of Tillandsia brachycaulos:

Humidity

They are mesic air plants, indicating that they are more humid-hungry than other air plants that live in the desert.

Thus, they will feel comfortable in a space with a humidity level between 60% and 90%. For instance, kitchens and bathrooms are the ideal humid spaces for the brachycaulos.

It’s not a significant concern if the environment isn’t very humid. Increase your watering frequency or spray in between watering for the brachycaulos air plant.

Watering

Every two to three days, mist. Don’t overwater your plants since this might cause root rot. If a plant is thirsty, you may tell by looking at its leaves; it will begin to curl inwards if they want more water.

Air plants are unique flora species that do not dwell on soil (as you might have gathered from their name). In reality, planting Tillandsia brachycaulos in the soil would surely kill them.

Put the air plants on a stand that highlights their beauty rather than placing them in the dirt. You might, for instance, place them in marbles, sand, or stones. Displays for air plants may be as primary as a bowl or as complex as a detailed work of plant art.

We’ve even seen pictures of handcrafted wooden ships with the brachycaulos air plant sticking out of them. All of this implies that you may customize air plant arrangements to suit your aesthetic tastes. However, take in mind the following:

·        It would be best if you decided on a display for the Tillandsia brachycaulos since air plants cannot be planted in soil. We suggest selecting a material that won’t obstruct light or ventilation.

·        The display must ideally be reachable so that it may be watered.

·        The material is something else to think about while selecting the display. Resist using corrosive metals because they may rust, become wet from misting, and expose the air plant to heavier metals.

Light Conditions

Provide the Tillandsia brachycaulos with the brightest, indirect light you can. Stay out of the sun, particularly in the late afternoon. Although they won’t grow as quickly, they will still live in low-light situations.

The large, light-colored leaves can’t stand direct sunlight, so they respond with crispy tips. The damage is relatively superficial, yet fixing it without harming the plant’s overall attractiveness is challenging.

Alternatively, if you are committed to keeping the air plant in a room without windows, provide 10 hours of artificial light daily instead of indirect light.

This configuration may function well in a damp bathroom where artificial light can also serve as a nightlight.

The brachycaulos air plant will repay you with color if you can find the ideal lighting of bright indirect light.

The leaves first develop a pink hue when exposed to adequate sunshine. The plant may ultimately blossom if it receives enough sunshine, which is number two.

When the stunning air plant flowers develop an inflorescence, they come in shades of orange or red.

Temperature

The air plant can withstand temperatures that are not too hot (generally, 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit).

The preference of Tillandsia brachycaulos is for moderate humidity. If the house is dry, spray the plant more frequently or place it on a tray with water and stones.

Fertilizing

Simply immerse the tillandsia brachycaulos air plant once per month in a mix of one part fertilizer and one part water to feed it. Make careful to apply the fertilizer that is made especially for air plants.

Diseases and Pests 

Pests are unlikely to affect Tillandsia brachycaulos. However, mealybugs and aphids are a possibility.

Overwatering and inadequate light might cause leaf rot, another issue. Ensure adequate sunshine so that extra, unnecessary water has evaporated off its leaves.

You are not required to bother about repotting the Tillandsia brachycaulos because air plants aren’t planted in any soil.

Air plants tend to grow well as they get older. Hence, the display should handle this expansion without any issues. Displays that are excessively tightly packed often obstruct airflow and are not advised.

If the brachycaulos outgrows its display, it is simple to repot it by taking it up (or ungluing, untying, etc.) and placing it in the new display of your choice.

Pruning

Although trimming is unnecessary for air plants, you may clean them up.

As it matures, Tillandsia brachycaulos will lose its old, dried-out leaves like other home plants. Remove any dead leaves from its base to assist it.

Since excessive trimming can destroy the air plants, you are not advised to use scissors or knives on them.

Additionally, any injury to the base might, at best, stop baby shoots from developing or, at worst, be lethal.

In Conclusion

We hope this detailed information has you excited to get the amazing air plant for yourself. Just put it in a terrarium and let it add a pop of color to your indoor space. You will notice that it has a tendency to survive in all conditions, perfect for beginners.