Plant Species

Tillandsia bergeri

(BEAR-ger-ee)

Mez; 1916

subgenus:Anoplophytum

Tillandsia bergeri was named for a German research scientist, Alwin Berger

(1871-1931), who worked with succulents and specialized in Cactaceae.

Tillandsia bergeri is endemic to the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is caulescent and grows saxicolously at elevations up to 100 meters. An average individual plant is about 12-14 cm. wide and 10 cm. high. The leaves are suberect, densely polystichous, and covered with appressed, cinereous scales. The blades are slightly channeled, narrowly triangular, and attenuate. Tillandsia bergeri often produces an extensive root system. The roots are thin, branching, and wirelike.

The inflorescence is simple with a number of polystichous, violet and white flowers that superficially resemble those of a miniature iris. The glabrous floral bracts are sometimes a pale carmine.

Tillandsia bergeri is beautiful when flowering, but a common lament is, "Gee, mine never blooms." This is heard often enough to warrant credibility, but the answer to the problem is elusive. Some people feel the plant needs a winter cold spell (my guess, too). Perhaps not enough light is being given to the plant. In any case, there is a missing stimulus that fails to trigger the blooming cycle. However, T. bergeri does flower yearly for many growers.

To its everlasting credit, Tillandsia bergeri is the "mad pupper" of the Tillandsia world. This species grows into a clump more rapidly than any other of the genus when provided with bright light, sufficient water, and fertilizer. Tillandsia bergeri is caulescent, and because of its penchant for rapid proliferation, new shoots expand in all directions along the stem. In just a few generations, T. bergeri forms a large clump.

As mentioned in the description of Tillandsia aeranthos, distinguishing these two species in the non-blooming state is difficult. If myriad pups at all stages of growth are seen growing from among the leaf axils (leaf bases), one may make a safe guess that the plant is Tillandsia bergeri. If all a person has to rely on is a single plant, he should believe the name tag. Without a name tag, one must wait for the bloom.

One of the easiest tillandsias to cultivate, Tillandsia bergeri thrives under average conditions and tolerates extremes well. It responds with more rapid growth to conditions of bright light, frequent watering, and fertilization. After watering, care should be taken to allow all the leaf surfaces in the clump to dry.

However, one should also watch for dehydration. If the edges of a leaf are touching, or close to it, the plant should be soaked in room temperature water for a day. In this manner the leaf cells will have the opportunity to absorb sufficient water.

	Tillandsia bergeri (BEAR-ger-ee) Mez; 1916 subgenus:Anoplophytum Tillandsia bergeri was named for a German research scientist, Alwin Berger (1871-1931), who worked with succulents and specialized in Cactaceae.
	Tillandsia bergeri is endemic to the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is caulescent and grows saxicolously at elevations up to 100 meters. An average individual plant is about 12-14 cm. wide and 10 cm. high. The leaves are suberect, densely polystichous, and covered with appressed, cinereous scales. The blades are slightly channeled, narrowly triangular, and attenuate. Tillandsia bergeri often produces an extensive root system. The roots are thin, branching, and wirelike. The inflorescence is simple with a number of polystichous, violet and white flowers that superficially resemble those of a miniature iris. The glabrous floral bracts are sometimes a pale carmine. Tillandsia bergeri is beautiful when flowering, but a common lament is, "Gee, mine never blooms." This is heard often enough to warrant credibility, but the answer to the problem is elusive. Some people feel the plant needs a winter cold spell (my guess, too). Perhaps not enough light is being given to the plant. In any case, there is a missing stimulus that fails to trigger the blooming cycle. However, T. bergeri does flower yearly for many growers. To its everlasting credit, Tillandsia bergeri is the "mad pupper" of the Tillandsia world. This species grows into a clump more rapidly than any other of the genus when provided with bright light, sufficient water, and fertilizer. Tillandsia bergeri is caulescent, and because of its penchant for rapid proliferation, new shoots expand in all directions along the stem. In just a few generations, T. bergeri forms a large clump. As mentioned in the description of Tillandsia aeranthos, distinguishing these two species in the non-blooming state is difficult. If myriad pups at all stages of growth are seen growing from among the leaf axils (leaf bases), one may make a safe guess that the plant is Tillandsia bergeri. If all a person has to rely on is a single plant, he should believe the name tag. Without a name tag, one must wait for the bloom. One of the easiest tillandsias to cultivate, Tillandsia bergeri thrives under average conditions and tolerates extremes well. It responds with more rapid growth to conditions of bright light, frequent watering, and fertilization. After watering, care should be taken to allow all the leaf surfaces in the clump to dry. However, one should also watch for dehydration. If the edges of a leaf are touching, or close to it, the plant should be soaked in room temperature water for a day. In this manner the leaf cells will have the opportunity to absorb sufficient water.
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