What's eating my tillandsia pseudobaileyi?

Tillandsia pseudobaileyi, a bulbous-based air plant, can shelter mealybugs and scale inside its hollow pseudo-bulb where moisture lingers. These soil-free plants are generally resilient, but the enclosed base creates a microhabitat for pests. Soak weekly, shake out excess water, and ensure full drying to keep infestations at bay.

Cottony white masses lodged deep inside the hollow bulb base; leaf tips yellow and die back Soak in a diluted insecticidal soap solution for 20 minutes; use a syringe of rubbing alcohol to flush the hollow interior

Waxy bumps on the outer leaf sheaths; honeydew causes sooty mould on adjacent surfaces Scrape off with a toothpick or cotton swab dipped in alcohol; spray with neem oil solution and dry promptly