Have you ever wondered how tillandsia air plants get pollinated? In the wild they get pollinated by bees, hummingbirds, other insects and even bats. For the most part though air plants self pollinate. When a pollen from a plant’s stamen is transferred to the same plant’s stigma, it is called self pollination.
Pollinators also do their part in cross-pollinating Tillandsia in the wild, which is where pollen sticks to the bee or wasp and is then transferred to the pistil of another plant of the same species. Tillandsia hybridizers have created some really neat hybrids by cross pollinating two species of air plants together. These hybrids include the T. Curly Slim, which is a hybrid of the T. intermedia x T. streptophylla, and the T. brachycaulos hybrid, which is a hybrid between the T.brachycaulos x T. concolor air plants. Pretty neat huh?
Once an air plant has bloomed, it will start to put energy into producing pups. You can learn more about pups in our article about Air Plant Propagation. You might not know this, but air plants can also produce seed pods and seeds. Seed pods only form if a Tillandsia flower has been pollinated. Otherwise, the plant will just grow pups and will not produce seeds.
There are some plants that are considered “self-incompatible” meaning that they cannot self-pollinate and rely on pollinators to pollinate for them. Some air plants that are self-incompatible and require pollinators are the T. caput medusae and T. streptophylla. Some common pollinators you would see if you were in the rainforest would be bees, wasps, flies, hummingbirds, other tropical birds, and even some bats. Air plants are unique in that they don’t need to be pollinated to produce pups though, so dont worry about pollinating your air plants.
courtesy of Cayaya Birding in Guatemala
You might have noticed that most air plants have bright tubular flowers, which are perfect for pollinators such as the hummingbird to pollinate. Flowers have adapted over time to have bright colors, plus an attractive floral scent to attract pollinators. Most air plants do not have scented flowers, but the bright red, pink, and purple tubular flowers of the Tillandsia species are what attract pollinators to them. There are a few exceptions to this though. Air plants with scented flowers include the T. duratii, T. straminea, and T. crocata among others.
If one of your air plants has indeed been pollinated, you might notice that after blooming there are seed pods forming where the flowers were. Inside these seed pods are seeds that are encased in fluffy hairs, called a parachute or COMA. It can take quite some time for seed pods to develop and once they are ready, they will split and release the seeds. The fluffy hairs act as a parachute to send the seeds through the air. The hairs are also quite coarse which allows them to attach to bark, rocks, or other plants, and begin to germinate and grow. Air plants grown from seed take a very long time to grow, so be patient!
Here you can see the parachute or COMA of the air plant seeds. The middle is the pods after the seeds have been removed.
Air plants, also known as tillandsia, are epiphytic plants that grow by absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air. Unlike most plants, air plants don’t require soil to thrive. This makes them quite easy to grow and care for.
However, if you want your air plants to produce pups and seeds you need to pollinate them. Pollination allows air plants to reproduce and produces genetic diversity, resulting in healthier plants. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about pollinating air plants to maximize yield.
When to Pollinate Air Plants
The ideal time to pollinate your air plants is when they are blooming You’ll know your air plant is ready to bloom when a long stalk with buds emerges from the center The blooming period lasts for several weeks,
Pay attention to the blooms each day Pollinate the flowers when they are fully open and the pollen is visible on the anthers Avoid pollinating dried blooms as they are past prime pollination period.
How to Pollinate Air Plants
There are two main techniques for pollinating air plants – self-pollination and cross-pollination.
Self-Pollination
This involves transferring pollen from the male parts of a bloom to the female parts of the same bloom or another bloom on the same plant. Here are the steps:
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Identify a fully opened bloom and remove the petals around the reproductive parts. Be gentle.
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Use a small brush, swab, or toothpick to collect pollen from the anthers.
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Gently brush the pollen onto the stigma of the same bloom or another bloom on the same plant.
Cross-Pollination
Cross-pollination means transferring pollen between different air plants. Follow these steps:
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Remove petals from around the reproductive parts of a bloom on Plant A.
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Collect pollen from the anthers using a brush.
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Transfer the pollen to the stigma of a bloom on Plant B.
Cross-pollinating air plants mixes up genetics, creating diversity. It also combines desired traits from different plants.
Tips for Successful Pollination
Follow these tips to ensure effective pollination:
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Use clean tools to prevent contamination. Clean them between plants.
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Avoid pollinating in wet weather when pollen can clump.
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Work quickly so pollen doesn’t dry out.
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Label plants you’ve cross-pollinated for future reference.
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Don’t over-pollinate. Once or twice per bloom is enough.
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Check for pollen grain germination under a microscope to confirm success.
Signs of Successful Pollination
Watch for these signs to know if your pollination worked:
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Pollen left on the stigma after contact.
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Stigma changing color or becoming sticky.
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Seed pods developing weeks later.
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Viable seeds forming inside the pods.
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New pups emerging at the base after several months.
Storing and Germinating Air Plant Seeds
If pollination is successful, air plant seed pods will form. To store the seeds:
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Allow pods to fully dry and split open naturally.
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Remove tufts of seed and fibers. Discard unviable seeds.
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Place viable seeds in a paper envelope or cloth bag.
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Store in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
When ready to germinate:
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Soak seeds in water for 24 hours. Drain.
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Sow seeds on moist propagation mix.
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Cover with plastic to retain humidity.
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Place in indirect light at 65-75°F.
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Mist occasionally to keep moist.
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Germination occurs in 3-8 weeks.
Common Questions
Why are my air plants not producing seeds?
Lack of pollination is the most likely reason. Air plants need to be hand pollinated since they don’t attract natural pollinators indoors. Inspect plants during blooming time and pollinate accordingly.
Can I pollinate different air plant species together?
Yes, you can cross-pollinate different tillandsia species. This results in hybrid air plants expression characteristics of both parents. Some combinations work better than others.
Should I remove spent blooms after pollinating?
It’s best to leave faded blooms in place until the seed pods mature. The dried blooms protect developing pods from damage. Carefully cut off pods for seed collection once completely dried.
How long before air plants produce pups after pollination?
Depending on species, air plants can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months after pollinating to produce mature pups suitable for removal. Be patient and keep providing good care during this time.
The Takeaway
Pollinating your air plants is the key to boosting propagation and genetic diversity. With the techniques and tips provided above, you can successfully hand-pollinate your tillandsias. This will allow you to grow more robust plants that produce plenty of pups and viable seeds.
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