How To Water Tillies in a Tropical Storm

How do you water Tillies in a tropical storm? I found out today with the outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Hermine. The answer is...don't.

Fellow weather spotters had been tracking Hermine (aka 99L, aka TD9) for two weeks. The models promised development, but shear and dry air kept ripping her up. We became bored and complacent.

Today, she finally pulled it together. And then some. Without warning, we got drenched!

Outer Rainband, TS Hermine, 2016

My Tillies were outside in their buckets, waiting for what I thought would be a nice summer shower. Instead, we got 45mph (about 90kph) winds and drenching rain. The Tillies became...concerned (probably).

Waiting for a little summer shower....

I really did not want to go out there and rescue them, but I did. They were starting to blow out of the buckets.

Jeepers! I have to go out there???

Now they're safe and sound, and well-watered, as am I. Like a drowned rat....
Alert Gardeners' Tip: If a tropical storm or hurricane is in your area, keep yourself, and your Tillies inside!

Safely home in their Tillie Tower.

Reminder: Tillie Watering TIme!

This is our storm season and we've really had some whoppers recently. Check out these clouds and double rainbows:

Double Rainbow, MRobb, USA, 2015

The two always seem to go together,  don't they?
And when it really rains outside, it's time to water my immense herd of Tillandsias. They just keep pupping!

Here are several of the ways I've done this over the years. The main point is to put them all, gently of course, in a bucket, cauldron, vat, or series of bowls, and place them lovingly out in the tempest for a few hours.

Then drain off the rainwater and keep it for later, and put your Tillies back on display. They need a good soak at least once a week, and they love rainwater most of all.

Above are a series of trays. These don't get too heavy after the rain. One tray is slotted and that makes it very easy to use- the rain drains off.

And here are a variety of buckets. Just don't try to lift the bigger buckets after the rain if you have a bad back, they get reeeallly heavy! I speak from bitter experience....
Have a wonderful weekend and hope your weather is photo-worthy!

Tillandsia Mass Watering and a Peckish Raccoon

We've finally been getting our normal afternoon rainshowers, and no one likes a rainbath better than a Tillie. In this case, several tangles of Tillies are ready to go outside for a little water....

If you have as many tangles of Tillies as I do, this is the easiest and quickest way to water them. Simply plop them into plastic containers and set them outside just before a rainstorm. After the rain has passed, just drain the container and return your Tillies to their indoor abode.

Prior to the storm, a feisty and peckish raccoon attempted to grab some more palm berries for a snack. They are the most amazing climbers! This one was over 20 feet in the air.

Here's to a peaceful Monday!