Home»House Plants»Bromeliad
The Tillandsia [ til - LAND - see - uh ] is a genus that include over 650 species and ispart of the Bromeliad plant family .
These commonly hang plants are commonly called “ melodic phrase plants ” due to their ability to cling to different control surface , including trees , rocks , and even telephone wires .
Tillandsia usneoides aka Spanish Moss growing as a basket in a “bird cage”
Linneaus have-to doe with to Tillandsias as “ Carnations of the breeze ” and named “ Tillandsia ” for Elias Tillands . He was a seventeenth - century phytologist known for his phobia of large body of weewee .
As this industrial plant does n’t need a quite a little of water , naming the plant after Tillands was a meet protection .
These plant come in many multifariousness , produce a wide range of colorful peak . The plant itself requires minimum soil and can be rise from various organic materials .
In fact , the air works are often sold attached to a small-arm of woodwind instrument .
While these types of airplants are native to tropic part , they are relatively well-to-do to grow indoors as houseplants .
Two Famous Tillandsias
When the term “ air works ” is used most of us conversant with plants immediately think of two famous Tillandsias .
Tillandsia usneoides – This “ air plant ” is have sex by a unlike common name “ Tillandsia Spanish Moss ” or simply “ Spanish Moss ”
This hanging Tillandsia we line up throughout the south where the misty gray moss flourish as garland gracing massive bald-headed cypress tree and oak trees .
Did you know that “ Spanish Moss ” is actually a Bromeliad ?
Tillandsia ionantha – This Tillandsia plant is the one most hoi polloi think of when hearing the term ‘ gentle wind industrial plant . ”
These small Tillandsias are often “ planted ” on pocket-size pieces of driftwood or go up on rocks as their “ pot ” or “ aviation plant holder . ”
Ionanthaneeds fiddling care , which stimulate it a wonderful windowsill fellow traveller .
Another interesting air plant species isTillandsia xerographica .
Tillandsia Care
How Big Do Air Plants Get?
Most varieties of gentle wind works are not grown in pots . They ’re typically sequester to a branch or piece of woodwind to make them one of the more interesting option for houseplants .
These plant come in many shapes and size , and feature a kind of colors and growth habits .
They also run to produce loggerheaded , white , blurred hair or graduated table that cover the total plant . These diminutive scales facilitate trap moisture from the air .
As these plants do n’t take antecedent , they rely on this moisture for hydration . Some have rather “ octopus - alike ” leaves .
The varieties sold as houseplant rarely grow more than a foundation . They are small raiser and can be combined with other plants .
Generally , Tillandsias are recommended for USDA hardiness zone 10 – 11 .
When Does The Tillandsia Flower
The Tillandsias often flower in the summer , depend on the variety .
Some species can uprise large flowers measure up to two feet in diameter . Other diversity produce small , succinct rosettes .
What Is The Best Lighting and Temperature For Air Plants?
Tillandsia plant are often divided into two grouping – grey and unripened leaf . The distinctive plant precaution suggestions vary based on the character of plant .
For model , the Tillandsias with grizzly leaves can be place in direct sunlight . They also delight warmer temperature and should be hold back between 55 ° and 65 ° degrees Fahrenheit during the winter .
The green Tillandsia varieties likeTillandsia cyaneashould not be place in direct sun . They choose shade , and the leaves may get combust when grade in direct sunlight .
Watering and Feeding “Air Plants”
Watering Tillandsia Bromeliads is a little different than the“traditional ” method of watering Bromeliads .
These plant often have two rest periods during the year . They hap in the middle of the summer and the middle of winter . During these two rest periods , you may merely spritz the Tillandsia air flora with water from a spray feeding bottle .
When the active ontogenesis point commence , you should see new leaves growing from the plant . During active growth , total a weak water - soluble liquid houseplant fertiliser to your weewee and spray more often .
NOTE : Some Tillandsia varieties need less water . For example , the green variety tend to need frequent watering , while the gray variety favour less water .
In fact , the Tillandsias with gray leaves should never be immersed in weewee .
What Type Of “Soil” Do Air Plants Need?
These plant need minimum organic cloth to survive . Their root seldom take clasp .
The most plebeian way to grow an air plant is to tie it to an “ gentle wind plant holder ” like a piece of driftwood along with other plant life in the Bromeliad family .
Wrap a petty number of sphagnum moss around the roots of the air plant and then affix the works to the branch with shaping conducting wire .
If you desire to move the plant , you could merely repeat this process . However , you should void move the plant oftentimes .
Grooming and Maintenance Of Airplants
Air plants do not ask any “ neaten ” other than cleaning up any dry out leaves or flush .
How to Propagate Tillandsia
Tillandsias are disperse from seed or offsets . Growing from seed is incredibly time - consuming . It may take several years for the works to grow to a mature sizing .
The easiest solution is to garner offset . However , you first need to off the plant from its current rest home .
If the plant has immature leave , place it in a water bowl and take into account it to pawn for two or three hours . If the plant life has greyish leaf , dip it in the water and arrange it on a counter .
Carefully diffuse the leaves near the base of the plant life and search for low offset . Pull the offsets by the basis to avoid tearing the parting .
you may attach the get-go using the same method used for transplanting the air plant . batten down some moss to a leg or plank with plastic wire .
The new plants should be misted every first light as they proceed to grow .
What Are the Main Tillandsia Pests or Disease Problems?
These plant rarely suffer from pest infestations or diseases . They are also not an invasive coinage .
The only issue needing care is dryness . If the works gets dried out , the foliage may set forth to sprain yellow or brown at the tips .
you’re able to spray the air flora with urine every couple of days . With the green - folio melodic phrase plants , immerse the entire plant in water on occasion .
Suggested Uses For Tillandsia Air Plants
Tillandsia plant are primarily used as a decoration and may be affix to a add-in you could display on the wall .
Another option is to secure the plant to the subdivision of a larger indoor bush or tree .
Yet another option is to take a unique piece of Sir Henry Wood ( many use driftwood ) , attach the Tillandsia to the wood , and create a “ hang tune industrial plant holder ” for a brilliant cheery patio area .
