Hi all. My Wife is interested in starting some Air Plants.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17566...

I've been looking on-line as to the care and feeding of these plants. I have a few questions, if someone can help me please.

1) Websites say "Do not plant in soil". I have seen several pictures of these plants in glass globes sitting in sand. Is this allowed? Can I use coarse gravel and place then on top?

2) Websites say that plants attach themselves to what they're sitting on. I'm looking at Pet Stores for Terrarium logs and wood. So how do I water? I'm told to actually soak the whole plant in water. Again, I've seen pictures of these plants floating in a sink of water. If they are attached to something, am I supposed to pull them off the logs or wood to soak them? Will they be damaged if I pull them off?

3) Does the plant have to be in an enclosed container to maintain humidity?

Thanks for any help.

1. Yes, you can place on sand or gravel. Not soil though - they will rot
2. If attached to a log or rock, you can just soak the entire thing. Alternatively, you can just mist them with a spritz bottle. I actually often do both. If they are glues to the log or rock, do not pull them off - you will damage them. If they are attached by their own roots, you can pull them off - the only reason they have roots is to attach themselves to logs, rocks etc. But once you pull them off, they are not easily re-attached - it will take/months for them to re-attache themselves.
3: only a couple of mine are in containers. Actually, if they are in a container, they will still need some air or they will rot. I have one sitting right on my mantle, no container at all. I have a couple of others sitting on a large sea shell.

Hope this helps. Also, go to YouTube - there are lots of really great videos on caring for them - you will learn a huge amount.

Thank you very much!!! I totally forgot about YouTube. Great info there.

Let's make it easy: do very little. @cwhitt gave you good advice. Most Tillandsia can be attached to driftwood with string, glue, nails or screws (through the woody part. You can also use string or wire to make a hanging support. They will grow much better outside.

If they are growing outside keep them in light shade with no direct sun and water them frequently. I see that you are in Ohio. In the fall they will have to be brought inside if it it expected to be in the 50's.

Once inside they will need a bright sunny spot. Keep them misted. I have a friend who lives in a Manhattan apartment with a hundred plants.

YouTube can give you some ideas but I would recommend good website.

Search Facebook for Planet Tillandsia and also for Bromeliad Society of Central Florida. If you join these you will have access to authoritative advice.

Good luck.

Hi Tilandias is in Bloom for the past 4 days,growing it on teak log, it appears to me that plant does not like it because it is not rooting.
Should leave it as it is?
[lightbox]2023-12-08/prabhisetty/f8d98f[/lightbox
Prabhi S

Prabhi, Your Wallisia Cyanea (formally classified in the Tillandsia family) looks great!
How long have you had it attached to the teak log?
I have found that these are pretty slow in growth rate. The plant probably will not attempt to root to the log until the new offsets are produced.

prabhisetty said: Hi Tilandias is in Bloom for the past 4 days,growing it on teak log, it appears to me that plant does not like it because it is not rooting.
Should leave it as it is?
[lightbox]2023-12-08/prabhisetty/f8d98f[/lightbox
Prabhi S

Tillandsia/Wallisia cyanea, commonly known as Pink quill plant. As Scott states, probably won't put out roots until it puts out offsets, after blooming. I have a cluster of Pink Quill, started as one plant growing in a clay hanging pot in an orchid bark/perlite/soil mix. It can grow as an epiphyte, or in a well draining organic soil mix. I found mine was happier in the clay pot, I don't really do much, rain waters it, sometimes in hot summer I give it some water. As an epiphyte, you might have to water it more in the hot months, keep out of direct sun. I get about two offset from each mother plant, and it is about two years to bloom again.