Tillandsia xerographica seedling

Tillandsia Xerographica is internationally recognized as an endangered species. Due to its restrictive status, growers are generally required to keep a certain number of offsets (pups) for future mother plants. Propagation via offsets only, although quicker than seed production, has been shown to limit genetic variability across the species. Think of it this way, if all Xerographica were propagated by offsets only, every plant would just be a copy of a copy.

Out of necessity to increase the number of plants on the farms, many have started the arduous process of growing Xerographica by seeds. This process involves waiting for plants to bloom, distributing pollen, finding the plants that are producing seed (not all do!), and preparing the seed on windscreen material to begin the germination process.

The small plants that we have today are 3-4 year old, hardy seedlings. Besides being more genetically diverse compared to many other commercialized Xerographica, seedling plants also will show a regular adult shape at a much smaller size.