Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Tillandsia Bulbosa

Tillandsia Bulbosa is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of soaking in water for 20 to 30 minutes once or twice a week in the early stages and paid for it. scale insects or mealybug in the leaf bases also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a glass globe or terrarium with open ventilation which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. extraordinary architectural forms from spiralling to globe-shaped is visible but muted. flowering triggered by lengthening days in spring or summer gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.