Before getting the answer to this question, first of all, you need to know about Tillandsia and bromeliads plants.
The answer is yes! In fact, these plants share the same family, so they are able to pollinate each other.
Tillandsia is a genus of around 650 species in the bromeliad family, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, including the Caribbean.
Bromeliads are monocot flowering plants native to the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the Southwest United States, Mexico, and one in tropical West Africa.
So, can we pollinate them with each other? Yes, we can.
In this post, we will learn about how these plants can pollinate each other and the benefits of pollinating Tillandsia with Bromeliad.
How to Pollinate Tillandsia with Bromeliad? A Step-by-Step Guide
Tillandsias are Bromeliads, and as such, they require pollination in order to produce seed. The process of pollination is actually quite simple and can be done by hand.
Gather Your Supplies
To pollinate your Tillandsia, you will need –
- A small paintbrush
- A Tillandsia plant
- A bromeliad plant
Step 1 – Choose the Perfect Bromeliad
There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to ensure that the Bromeliad you’re using already have flower.
Pollinating a Tillandsia with a bromeliad that isn’t in bloom will likely not result in any flowers.
Step 2 – Select the Suitable Tillandsia
Next, you’ll need to find a Tillandsia that you want to pollinate. Again, it’s best to choose a plant that is similar in size to the Bromeliad you’re using. For example, Tillandsia cyanea is similar in size to Aechmea fasciata, so they work well together.
This will make it easier to transfer the pollen from one plant to the other.
Step 3 – Locate the Male and Female Flowers
After selecting the plants, now it’s time to choose the male and female flowers. Bromeliads have both male and female flowers on the same plant.
The male flowers are typically smaller and located near the center of the plant.
And the female ones are larger and located on the outer edges of the plant.
Step 4 – Gently Collect Pollen from the Male Flowers
If you are new with this process be careful not to damage the flowers. Use your paintbrush or cotton swab to gently collect pollen from the male flowers.
Step 5 – Transfer the Pollen to the Tillandsia Female Flowers
Once you have collected enough pollen, according to step 4 process transfer it to the female flowers. Again, be careful not to damage the flowers.
Step 6 – Wait for the Seed Pods to Form
Once the pollen has been transferred, the seed pods will begin to form. These can take several weeks or even months to mature. You can tell the pods are mature when they begin to turn brown and papery.
Step 7 – Collect the Seeds
Once the seed pods have matured, you can collect the seeds. These can be used to grow new Tillandsia plants. If you are new with this process be careful not to damage the seeds.
With these simple steps, you can pollinate Tillandsias and help them to produce seeds.
What to Consider to Pollinate Tillandsia with Bromeliad?
When it comes to pollinating your Tillandsia with Bromeliad, there are a few things to consider. Here are some tips to help you get the best results –
Timing Is Everything
When Tillandsia is in bloom, make sure to time your pollination accordingly. This will give the pollen a chance to stick to the stigma and fertilize the plant. By doing this, you can help ensure a healthy and successful growth for your Tillandsia.
Choose the Right Pollinator
Bromeliads make excellent pollinators for Tillandsias because their long, thin tentacles are able to reach deep into the flower. This allows them to efficiently transfer pollen to the stigma, resulting in successful pollination. Bromeliads are an important pollinator species for Tillandsias, and their role in pollination helps to ensure the survival of these plants.
Be Gentle
When you’re pollinating, be sure to be gentle. You don’t want to damage the delicate flowers. If you’re too rough, you could end up tearing the petals or damaging the pistil.
Check for Fruit
Once pollination has occurred, you should check for fruit. If you see any, it means that pollination was successful. This is an important step in the process of plant reproduction.
Is Tillandsia a type of Bromeliad?
Is Tillandsia a type of Bromeliad? This tillandsia bromeliad article explores the relationship between Tillandsia and Bromeliads. Tillandsia is actually a type of Bromeliad, belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. These unique plants, also known as air plants, do not need soil to grow. Tillandsia species exhibit fascinating adaptations, making them distinct within the Bromeliad family.
Why Should We Pollinate Tillandsia with Bromeliad?
Pollinating Tillandsia with Bromeliad is a good idea because it can help to ensure that the Tillandsia get the nutrients and moisture they need to thrive.
There are many reasons to pollinate Tillandsia with Bromeliad. Here are just a few-
Increases the Chances of Tillandsia Surviving
Tillandsias are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants. This makes them especially vulnerable to changes in their environment, such as a sudden drop in temperature.
By pollinating Tillandsia with other Bromeliads, we can help increase their chances of survival.
Helps Tillandsia Reproduce
In order to reproduce, Tillandsia creates offsets or smaller replicas of themselves. To produce offsets, though, they require pollination.
We can aid their reproduction by pollinating them.
It Helps to Improve the Quality of Tillandsia
Another reason to pollinate Tillandsia with Bromeliad is that it can help to improve the quality of Tillandsia.
This is because when they cross-pollinate, it creates new hybrids that are often more vigorous and have more desirable traits than the parent species.
It’s vital to the overall improvement of the quality of this particular genus.
To Prevent Tillandsia from Becoming Extinct
Tillandsias are already considered to be a threatened species. By pollinating them with each other, we can help prevent them from becoming extinct.
Final Say
In conclusion, it is possible to pollinate Tillandsia with Bromeliad. However, there are a few things to consider before doing so. Namely, the size of the plant and the type of Bromeliad you are using.
Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the Bromeliad you are using has not been treated with chemicals, as this can harm the plant.
There are many benefits to pollinating them with each other, so it is worth considering if you want to improve the health of your Tillandsia plants.
Resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997647/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6537948/
- https://www.academia.edu/8963446/The_Secrets_of_Night_Blooming_Bromeliads_and_Bats
