Bird Rock Tropicals
Billbergia

Members of the genus Billbergia  (more than 60 species) can usually be recognized by the form of the rosette, which has only a few leaves and are most often tubular.  The spine-edged leaves are often spotted or banded with complex patterns of bright colors, especially the new hybrids.  Many have spectacularinflorescences, but they are rarely grown for that reason because they flower for only one to two weeks.  Form and foliage colors are the billbergia’s claim to glory. 

Billbergias are highly recommended for beginners.  The have extraordinary form, and the new hybrids (more than 100) are stunningly colorful.  The are also among the easiest bromeliads to grow. Try then in hanging containers because they tend to look their best when viewed from below.  Light shinning through the leaves from above makes them particularly beautiful, and the pendulous flower spikes will be easy to see.

Light:            Billbergias need high light to develop good color and form: in too little light the erect leaves of the tubular types become excessively long an may break.  Outdoors or in a greenhouse, 50% to 65% shade cloth is recommended for sunny climates, which translates to 3500 to 5000 footcandles; they acclimate to about 9000 footcandles with high humidity.  In windows indoors, give them about 3000 foot candles; more sun my burn the foliage.

Potting or Mounting:  Billbergias do well mounted as well as potted. Either way they form beautiful colonies in a few years.

 (Reprinted from Bromeliads A Cultural Manual, The Bromeliad Society, Inc.)