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Species library › Vriesea › Vriesea arpocalyx
Other Little published: much of this is inferred from related species

Vriesea arpocalyx

Vriesea arpocalyx (originally described as Tillandsia arpocalyx) is a bromeliad endemic to the Ecuadorian Andes, where it grows in montane forest and in the drier shrubland of the inter-Andean valleys at roughly 1,500 to 3,600 m. It is listed as Near Threatened, mainly through fire and habitat clearance. Treat it as a cool-growing, bright-light highland bromeliad: mild days, cold nights, moving air and a tank that is allowed to dry between fillings.

At home, aim for
Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry
Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
No rest periodGrows on trees (epiphyte)

Where it grows wild

Recorded from moist montane forest and from subtropical dry shrubland on Andean slopes, including inter-Andean valleys such as the Ambato area and the río Paute valley, and the Pifo to Papallacta road east of Quito. Specimen labels do not say whether plants were on trees or rocks; highland Vriesea of this kind commonly grow epiphytically on shrubs and small trees or on rocks and banks in open vegetation.

Wikipedia gives 1,500 to 3,000 m; GBIF herbarium specimens span about 1,800 to 3,650 m, so this is a genuinely high-altitude, cool-climate plant.

Ecuador

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates
✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it
✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light
✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it
✓ Substrate and airflow
✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.