Tales o' the Pups, Part 2 (Tillandsias)

Here's Part 1 in case you missed it:

http://mylifeamongthelithops.blogspot.com/2013/10/tales-o-pups-tillandsia-pups-that-is.html

My Tillies continue to pup like there's no tomorrow. Last time I wrote about Tillies that pup at the base. This week, I've got some hidden and subtle pups to show. Here are three of them. It's hard to find images of Tillandsias and their pups, so I hope this will add to our global photo album of Tillandsias.

Tillandsia magnusiana with pup, MR, 2013

My favorite fuzzy Tillies, T. magnusiana, are as close to  airplant pets as it gets. They're soft, fluffy silver balls that fit nicely in the hand. I swear they'd purr if they could. The sacred Tillie of the Maya has equally cute pups. They grow quite hidden at the base for a month or so, then suddenly, a lower leaf will lurch away from its fellows, and there you'll see the pup, only about 1cm in diameter.

Tillandsia caliginosa with pup, MR, 2013

Tillandsia caliginosa has a cleverly disguised pup branching off from the base, approximately two leaves up on the mother plant.

Tillandsia filifolia with pup, MR, 2013

T. filifolia pups at the base, but the pup grows in a direction perpendicular to the mother plant. It's very hard to spot at first. This pup has been growing for several months and is now clearly visible. You can see the central rosette of the pup clearly in the lower right corner. It's darker than the mother plant.

Well, that's enough pupping for now! Have a wonderful weekend and happy gardening.

Weekend Projects: Garden Sculptures, Tilly Pots, and a Monster!

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am seriously into making anything and everything for my garden out of clay. I used to make things out of our local creek clay when I was a kid, and I still think messing around with mud is a lot of fun. I've made dozens of pots for Tillandsias, cacti, and mesembs, but I've been enjoying some sculpting, too. I'm no Rodin, and I wouldn't even make the cut as a house-mouse in Rodin's workshop. But I am very enthusiastic.  Here are two Tilly pots from the first batch of sculpture-pots:

"Abuela"- Tillandsia Sculpture 2013 MR

I made this one for a particularly delicate Tillandsia argentea fineleaf. It gets crumpled by any neighbors, and to look good, needs to be displayed on its own.

"Il Vecchio"- Tillandsia Sculpture 2013 MR

Here, a Tillandsia filifolia makes a funky hat for an old dude!

Then there are some sculptures to just put near the plants. They look like they could be plant spirits, or garden sprites, so they fit in.

"Plant Sprites" - MR 2012 and 2013

This one looks a little like a bird:

Finally, you don't need clay and a kiln to make garden sculptures. Papier mache' works very well, particularly if you coat it with waterproof acrylic glaze, or some such thing. Most hardware stores and artists' supplies will have a number of waterproof clear coats to choose from.  This sculpture is Pudge. I wish I had given him a bowl to hold a Tilly, but that will have to wait for Pudge II. Pudge I has no arms...maybe he will grow them.

"Pudge" by MR 2012, papier mache'

Have a fun and creative weekend, and enjoy your gardens!