I have just started to get interested in these plants, anyone else into these?

I grow a bunch of them, @springcolor (Julia). I don't like the looks of that Tilly though. The leaves shouldn't be turning black.

Do you think it is just the cultivar? Look at these images on Bing.
https://www.bing.com/images/se...

Good to know your growing them as well. In your greenhouses or in the new sunroom? I'm a lurker.

You are right. It seems to be the tendency of the variety to have dark, almost black, lower leaf pigmentation.

I have two greenhouses and a solarium. I grow Tillandsia in them all. I have pretty much quit growing those "fancy" hybrids though. I now grow mostly those that are actually native to the USA, mostly central and southern Florida. I got interesting in having all the varieties that are native here (and two are native no where else in the world) and I think it is kind of neat to grow them.

I only have one...

Air Plant (Tillandsia bulbosa)

I forget to water it most of the time. I'm sure it's because it's winter and it's a thicker leaved Tilly, but... I like it a lot.

I have one variety that is starting to bloom. It is the T. simulata ("Broad Needleleaf"). It is found no where else than Florida (well, in Mississippi now :whistling:). Here are a couple of pictures taken last spring and some pictures of my huge slab of cork loaded with Florida species. The cork is 30" tall and 16" wide and there are seven varieties here.

T. simulate

The blooms are so interesting. I really like how you have the native plants mounted 30 x 16 is big!!. You should right an article about how to mount plants, amazing job. Where do you get that cork board?

Here are mine that are about ready to bloom.

I buy huge cork slabs, 40 lbs. (or more) of them at a time. I have a tiny tropical plant business and cut the cork slabs to whatever size a customer asks for.

You can use the silicone sealant sold for use as a tillandsia "glue", but that works best for pretty small plants. I sometimes will use that glue but supplement it by using plastic-coated, florist wire. I will drill two holes adjacent to and on both sides of the roots and then two more holes further up the plant. The wire holds the roots against the cork until their roots take hold and the upper two holes hold the plant upright. For staghorns, orchids, bromeliads, and most tillandsia, I just use the florist wire. I posted a "how to mount epiphytic plants" on ATP last January. You might get some helpful information from that post.

@springcolor Julia, here's Ken's great article: http://garden.org/ideas/view/d...

How did I miss that? Thank you!! I will look for the silicone sealant, is that like what you use to calk the tub?

No, Julia, I think it would be a 100% silicone that is used for building aquariums. I am not sure but I have a feeling that the GE I is what you would use. I think most of the silicones used around tubs, doors, and windows have some sort of mildew inhibitor and you want one that doesn't have any additives. I know that "Tilly Tacker" is sold by Rainforest Flora, Inc. specifically for use with tillandsia but have a feeling that it is similar if not the same as those silicones labeled "Safe for aquarium use".

I also grow tillandsias, they are quite fun! I just put them in little baskets or one I got is already stuck in a ceramic decor and has since made babies, mommy plant is gone. They seem happier outdoors here but during winter I protect them inside my grow camp and some placed indoors with my other indoor orchids. When it starts to make a bloom, it feels bittersweet because I know the plant will go eventually, but so far it will make new pups in time, so life goes on.

Any pictures Tarev?

I do have a thread also about my tillandsias and pictures along with it: The thread "tillandsia on the rocks" in Houseplants forum
Then there are some other ATP members who posted there of their tillys too.

I have been updating it as it goes, helps me see if the growth is really improving as time goes by

I have a few also. Need to take a pic or two. Interesting plants!

I've had my tillies for about a year or so, now. I lost most of mine, though; some succumbed to cold damage (they suffered a bit on the shipping to my house during the winter), under watering and overwatering. I'm realizing that different tillies have VERY different needs in terms of water. Some are okay with a good soak, others aren't.

Without looking to verify, I believe the three I have left are 2 ionanthas, 1 velutina, and 1 medusa.

I'd love to get some other varieties now that I'm getting a better feel for them. The four that I have remaining are growing to a good size, which is encouraging and makes me want to get some different varieties that might contrast nicely, such as the more silver colored varieties and/or some that are fuzzier.

I love tillandsias. I had a few mounted on a piece of driftwood and they had multiplied and covered it. It froze 2 years ago when I was in TN when my grandson was born. So, I'm starting over.

When we went to Disney, I picked up a few at the resort. They were just lying on the ground, so I picked them up and they came home with me! I plan to mount these along with a few ionantha on my piece of driftwood. A souvenir shop right down the road sells tillandsias, so I usually stop in to see what they have. If they look good, I'll buy a couple here and there. I have about 15 right now to mount.

@drdawg, when I visit in August when I help my son settle into MSU, I'll need lots of money for the plants I'll be bringing home from your greenhouse!

That's the spirit, Julie.

I'm off to my surgery in a few minutes. I have to drive to Columbus to check in to Baptist.

Julie, be on the lookout for nice pieces of driftwood. I am always on the lookout for woods to use for mounting.

I love tillandsias. I had a few mounted on a piece of driftwood and they had multiplied and covered it. It froze 2 years ago when I was in TN when my grandson was born. So, I'm starting over.

When we went to Disney, I picked up a few at the resort. They were just lying on the ground, so I picked them up and they came home with me! I plan to mount these along with a few ionantha on my piece of driftwood. A souvenir shop right down the road sells tillandsias, so I usually stop in to see what they have. If they look good, I'll buy a couple here and there. I have about 15 right now to mount.

@drdawg, when I visit in August when I help my son settle into MSU, I'll need lots of money for the plants I'll be bringing home from your greenhouse!