Tillandsias and Bromeliads


Tillandsia




Tillandcias or Air Plants are epiphytic (a plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic), and they have an extensive amount of species in their genus. They are easy plants to grow as they require very little care. The most important thing to remember is to let them dry out completely after hydration, before watering again. They can heavily mist weekly with a spray bottle or you can dunk them in a bucket of water.  If you dunk them instead of misting them, let them dry entirely, providing plenty of air circulation to avoid rotting. For lighting, place them near a bright (indirect light) window, preferably with plenty of air circulation. That is all the care you need to enjoy your Tillandsias. 







Bromeliads


Bromeliads are great plants to add a touch of color to your house-plant collection or landscape outdoors in zones 9 and 10. They are divided into two major groups, Aechmeas producing a spike and the Neoregelias that get their color in the center of the plant. When a bromeliad comes into flower, it's either mature or responding to environmental cues, and it's completing its life cycle. Before it dies off, it will produce pups at the base of the mother plant, which will start the new cycle again. 

Bromeliads are epiphyte plants but are successfully grown in containers with airy soil. They need to be planted in well-drained media.  Once watered, the soil should not remain damp; they need to dry out before you can water them again. The best way to water these plants is to water the roots. The belief is that you should water from the cup (center of the plant).  Typically they are grown as house plants, therefore they don't get the chance to evaporate the water collected in the cup as they would if they were growing outside.  This could create potential health problems to the plant. 








Neoregelia Tricolor Perfecta

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