Tillandsia cyanea

Family: Bromeliaceae
Common name: blue-flowered torch, pink quill
Origin: Ecuador
Height: 12 in. to 1 ft. 2 in.
Spread: up to 1 ft. 6 in.
Habit: clump-forming
Soil: coarse, quick draining mix
Soil pH: acidic-pH-5.5-6.5
Soil moisture: average
Bloom time: spring, fall, winter
Flower color: pink, violet, blue
Bloom size: 12 in. to 12 in.
Foliage color: dark-green
Foliage size: 1 ft. 6 in. to 1 ft. 6 in.

Description
Tillandsia bears showy, long-lasting pink and violet blooms over grassy foliage. Blooms occur in late spring or autumn and usually last for several months. Inflorescence is a flattened plume of deep pink or red bracts from which violet blue flowers emerge, 1 or 2 at a time, for long periods.

Tillandsia cyanea is one of 374 species of the genus Tillandsia.

Care and culture
Tillandsia cyanea do best in bright indirect sunlight. They need medium temperatures of 50 to 65 degrees at night and day temperatures of 68 degrees or higher. Pink Quills need a loose, fast draining soil (2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 1 part sharp sand or perlite). They can also be grown on slabs of bark or tree fern fiber. The potting mix should be kept moist at all times. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the strength recommended on the label.

Grow tillandsia in a pot. Bromeliads prefer to be in a pot just large enough to stabilize the plant; an oversize container can lead to rot.
 
Water the soil regularly, keep soil moist. Mist daily.

Propagation
Tillandsia cyanea are propagated by division or seed. Plants can be divided at anytime of the year. Seeds are germinated on peat moss with temperatures of 65 degrees. Seeds need light to germinate.
After blooming, the plant will die and produce offsets, or pups, which can be clipped and potted up. In 2 to 3 years, these will bloom and reproduce continuing the cycle.

Pests and diseases
Relatively carefree. Mealy bugs are one of the few pests that can be problem. Control mealybugs with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil according to label directions.

Info
- Tillandsia is a member of the bromeliad family, as is the familiar pineapple. Bromeliads are characterized by a distinct urn arrangement of leathery leaves from which a stout bloom arises. Blue-flowered torch is epiphytic, meaning it grows on another plant (in this case a tree) in its natural habitat.