Was Tillandsia laxissima var. moorei
Then Barfussia laxissima var. moorei
Now Barfussia moorei
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Barfussia moorei
Peter Tristram 02/22 ex. JK
Peter Tristram..."Over the last few months quite a few Barfussia species and hybrids have been developing very showy inflorescences at Repton (I’m still here). They are easy to cultivate for me, grown under bright Guzmania type conditions – watered most days, less in wet and cooler weather and fertilised weekly or so and sheltered from wind, especially dry winds. They all have survived cold weather in winter, frequently well below 10C at night and extreme heat, frequently around 40C in the hot years (not this summer!).
The beauty with the quite filigree inflorescence, is a form of Bar. moorei, ex Jeff Kent. Bar. moorei used to be Bar. laxissima var. moorei. My laxissima, a small plant by comparison, ex Selby, isn’t blooming this time. There is a newly described species too, Bar. robusta which is separated from moorei by its more robust floral parts and less branching. I don’t have it though. Hopefully some seed will set on some of the ones in bloom this year, though the platyrhachis are yet to have fully open flowers. The Peruvian platyrhachis, ex Peter Bak, are my height! BIG plants. The wagneriana is one from Gruber so could be a hybrid but certainly mostly wagneriana. The wagneriana I obtained from Jeff Kent, ex Ecuador not Peru, are also in bloom, as are most of the remaining Gruber plants that are mainly hybrids of wagneriana with platyrhachis and laxissima by the look of them. All of the Barfussia normally pup 1 or 2 initially and sometimes more as a second round, mostly towards the centre of the plant. I have to figure out how to move the giant ones safely, when the time comes!
Eric wrote a comprehensive article on the genus Barfussia in Die Bromelie 2021-1. I encourage collectors to subscribe to either or both of the German Society (DBG) and the BSI to access their great journals, both featuring numerous Tillandsia-related articles. It's sure easy to do online, though I can help if needed, as I already do with a few of you." George Nieuwenhoven ... "I wonder if it would thrive in Adelaide ?" Peter Tristram ... "I think as long as you can protect from cold wet and hot dry, with protection and winter daytime temp mostly 20+ they'd do ok. Remember it's a humid climate here and they get extra humidity as well in the tunnel.
Maybe Adam has given wagneriana a go, though it's from low altitude so warmer still."
