BackGround
Tillandsias grow naturally in South and Central America and southern
parts of the United States. They are in the Bromeliad family, and are sometimes
referred to as "air plants." Hundreds of different varieties grow on trees,
rocks, cliffs, and various types of cacti. Thin-leaf varieties grow in
areas with more rain, and thick-leaf varieties in areas more subject to
drought. No soil is needed to grow these unique plants. All water and nutrients
are taken through the leaves. Their roots are used as wire-like anchors.
Bromeliad
- Tillandsias have a growth cycle starting with one plant growing to maturity
and then BLOOMING! One to two months after the bloom has finished, new
plants form around the base of the "mother" plant. They will then eventually
mature and complete their blooming cycle in one to several years, depending
upon the variety and growing conditions (very important!). Bromeliads -
Tillandsias can be placed in ANYTHING! (,Rocks, shells, pottery, driftwood,
around water fountains, reptile tanks, etc.) Bromeliad - Tillandsias are
NOT toxic to animals, and they also travel and ship well.
Care
Light
requirements: Bright, indirect light, fluorescent office lighting,
or frost-protected shaded patio. Generally, no direct sun is recommended.
Some varieties can handle some early morning sun - this will allow them
to "blush" (change colors) before they bloom!
Water:
This
is a very important aspect of succeeding with Bromeliads - Tillandsias!
Remove plants from their containers and spray HEAVILY, or rinse them under
a faucet or hose until they are dripping wet (underneath as well
as on top). Remember, they grow naturally where it rains! Frequency
of watering (how many times per week) will depend on:
-
temperature variations (summer vs. winter)
-
whether it is indoors or outdoors
-
and the variety (thin or thick leaves)
Generally,
with the spray or rinse method, you should water indoor Bromeliads - Tillandsias
2-3
times
a week, and outdoor Bromeliad - Tillandsias 4-5 times a week. In warmer
and drier conditions, an overnight soaking (12-14
hours)
will rehydrate them more efficiently than spraying or rinsing. If leaf
edges begin to curl in, then it is best to use the soaking method.
Fertilizer:
Use Bromeliad fertilizer (17-8-22)
twice a month. It is GREAT for
blooming and reproduction! Other water-soluble fertilizers can be used
at 1/4 strength (Rapid Grow, Miracle-Gro, etc.) if Bromeliad fertilizer
is not available. (ปุ๋ยกล้วยไม้จัดไปครับ)
Tips Do and Don't
Do
Shake
off excess water after watering (especially in the large fleshy varieties).
Turn upside-down and let the base dry before putting it back in its container.
Give
tall, thin-leave varieties (T. Butzii, T. Juncea, etc.) an extra spray
on their tips, as they dry out faster.
Place
plants in containers with natural holes, as opposed to gluing them. This
will make it much easier to water them, especially when you use the soaking
method. And you don't have to wait for the whole container to dry before
putting it back in its place!
Trim
away any brown, dried or injured (bent) leaves (this will not harm the
plant).
Leave
pups (babies) on mother plant, as Tillandsia airplants are much
heartier if left to form a colony (specimen). But, if you wish, you may
cut off bloomed-out flower when its color dries up. Trim dried *mother"
plant away after new plants ("pups") have formed. If more than one new
plant has formed, they can be removed once they reach the size of the
mother plant.
Don't
Don't worry about
roots. You can cut them off to make it easier to place them in containers
(they will grow back). This also makes it easier to water them.
Don't leave water
sitting in the crevices of big, fleshy Bromeliads - Tillandsias. Shake
them off!
Don't put them in
containers that hold moisture around the base (or, let them dry well before
returning them to their containers).
Don't throw Bromeliad
- Tillandsias away if there is any green left to the plants. Soak them
for 24 hours.
Don't soak the flower
while in bloom (prolonged periods of soaking will rot them).
Don't water plants
in clumps as much, as clumped Bromeliad - Tillandsias hold more moisture.
Don't combine thick-
and thin-leaf varieties in the same container, since their watering schedules
will be different.
Don't let them freeze!
Tillandsia Die Why!!!
They were not initially
cared for properly (their owner was told they need little or no water).
Thick- and thin-leaf
varieties were combined in the same container (different watering schedules).
They did not get
enough light (they were more than 10 feet from a bright window or skylight).
They were placed
in DIRECT SUN. Garden windows are generally too warm unless they are shaded
or facing north.
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