Tillandsias are locals. They grow here in the SE US, and through Central America. A lot of folks think "air plants" don't need any actual care, but in fact, they do need a fair bit of diffused light, and a lot of humidity and water. They just use their leaves instead of their roots to get the water and nutrtion that any plant needs to grow. Many people grow them in beautiful glass orbs to keep the humidity high. I don't mind misting mine morning and evening, so I keep them in homemade ceramic pots, on top of some orchid mix, which is mostly bark and perlite. I give them a good soaking twice a week in a bucket of water with a tad of vinegar and fertilizer added. The Tillandsia in the center of the photo is one of my favorites; it's small and very feathery, fun to hold in my hand. Basically, it's a cutie of the Tillandsia world, and it has a great name, filifolia. Say it ten times fast! Its roomie is a Tillandsia caput medusae (cool name!) which is soft and fuzzy, not monstrous at all. You can look at it straight on, and, unlike Perseus, you won't need a shiny shield to see it.
Tillandsias are the perfect companion plants for orchids. I have them all over my greenhouse, mixed in among the big hanging orchids, and there is even Spanish moss hanging down along with the long roots of the Vandas. It seems like there's always a Tillandsia blooming. Even the Spanish moss blooms from time to time, with tiny green flowers. Seems like we grow all the same plants!
ReplyDeleteThat medusae looks lovely, and the pots are beautiful. Love the fuzzy/velvety leaves on the medusae. Air-plants are quite exceptional. :-)
ReplyDeleteDoc Elly,
ReplyDeleteThat's great that the Tillandsias and orchids hang out together, must look beautiful! I had no idea Spanish moss blooms- we have a lot of it here, growing just to our west, so I'll look out for those flowers.
Tillandsia caput medusae are just gorgeous and very...pettable! Everyone pets them when they see them. I half expect them to purr in response....
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