Air Plant: Seedling Xerographica
Air Plants, or Tillandsia, get their nutrients from water, light, and air and need no soil. This variety, called a Seedling Xerographica, is a gorgeous medium sized air plant that range from 3.5-5 inches.
The Seedling Xerographica is unique because of the way it is grown.
Xerographica are internationally recognized as an endangered species. Due their restrictive status, growers are generally required to keep a certain number of offsets (pups) for future mother plants. Propagation through offsets is quicker than seed production, but limits genetic variability across the species. If all Xerographica were propagated by offsets only, every plants would just be a copy of a copy lending itself to virtually no genetic variability.
Because of this, some growers have started the arduous process of growing Xerographica by seeds. This process involves waiting for mature Xerographica to bloom, hand-distributing the pollen, finding the certain few plants that were pollinated to produce seed, and preparing the seed for the germination process.
These smaller Xerographicas are 3-4 years old and will grow to a smaller size than the commercialized Xerographica.
By choosing to purchase a Seedling Xerographica, you are supporting the farms who are going through the extra process and help to ensure that this variety of air plants will be around to enjoy for generations to come.
Size: 3.5'' - 5''
Care: Check out our Journal Entry titled Air Plant Care for all you need to know about caring for your new Tillandsia!