Air Plant Spotlight: Tillandsia Curly Slim
Tillandsia Curly Slim air plant is a captivating hybrid, created by the renowned botanist Mark Dimmitt. It is a man-made marvel, born from the union of T. Intermedia and T. Streptophylla, two species that rarely occur naturally in this hybrid form. Grown through tissue culture to ensure genetic uniformity, Curly Slim can grow up to four feet tall! One of the most striking features is its pink inflorescence, which boasts violet-colored tubular flowers. While Curly Slim will produce pups (offsets) at its base through asexual reproduction, some generations will produce pups on the bloom spike as well, a trait inherited from its Intermedia parent. Surrounding the impressive inflorescence are Curly Slim’s long and twisting leaves which can be truly accentuated by keeping the Tillandsia slightly underhydrated.
Curly Slim Care
The thick, trichome-abundant leaves of Curly Slim air plant make it hardy and more tolerant than many species of Tillandsia. Thriving in bright, indirect light, the air plant will also thrive in early morning or evening sunlight. During the sunniest and hottest parts of the day, display Curly Slim near a window that receives filtered sunlight or outdoors in a shady area to prevent sunburn and dehydration. Curly Slim appreciates humidity and does best when watered every 7-10 days with a soak or thorough rinse. Infrequent watering will maintain the plant’s curly appearance but it should be misted between the more thorough watering days to prevent dehydration. Always remember to gently shake off excess water and lay the plant upside down or on its side to dry!
Displaying Tillandsia Curly Slim
Curly Slim is a showy plant that makes for an interesting display no matter how you present it. One eye-catching way to showcase these plants is to mount them on a Rustic Wood Plank or Cork Bark slab to hang in a bright room or shady porch. Allow the whimsical tendrils to dangle freely by hanging a Curly Slim upside down from a large sea urchin shell for the popular “jellyfish” look! You can also group several Curly Slim plants in a shallow planter or vase creating a bouquet of curls. Curly Slim is a unique Tillandsia that can be grown in soil. When planting, let any roots grow into a well-draining potting mix, but be sure to spray the leaves themselves rather than watering the roots, as these plants are adapted to absorbing moisture through their leaves and are susceptible to root rot. We like to take advantage of the epiphytic trait of the Tillandsia and display them soil-free!
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