Tillandsia Bromeliads, how do you water them?

13 years ago

I have just received some Tillandsias, or Air Plants, that I bought from a seller in Hawaii on eBay, and I displayed them in this way:

The smaller clumps on the side of the hanging pot are those that I received today by mail.

The large clump that I have on the far right is there since March and I bought it at the Home and Garden Show in Dallas, Texas... and I hope I am saving it from drying up because the tips of the leaves were starting to become all brown. I think that spraying these plants is not enough, because they seem to dry up miserably anyway. I think Tillandsias actually require more watering that you would give to a normal house plant!

So how do you grow your Tillandsia? How many days a week do you water them, and for how long? I was thinking of actually soaking these plants every other day in a bucket of water overnight. Would that be good?

Do you also think that the grow light on the top of the wall is enough for my Tillandsias? The plants in the pot are thriving under it, and I hope Tillandsia will like it too!

Thank you for helping me!!!

Rino

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

rinomanfroni
Original Author
13 years ago
I also would like to know if I should keep these plants outdoor during the warm season!? Would they grow better? I however would really like to keep them in the apartment!
bunnygurl
13 years ago
Though I don't know much about Air Plants, I do know that A) they're awesome and I would love to have one but they're relatively pricey here and B) they would definitely appreciate a soaking once or twice a week along with the misting, depending most likely on weather/temperature. Dunno if they'd need to be left overnight. Probably about half an hour should do it I'd think.

I think a bathroom equiped with a shower and window would be an optimal place to mount them (3 on a piece of driftwood) if I ever got mine.

And that's about all I (think) know. Good luck and yours look quite fabulous if I may say so. Totally jealous.
Related Discussions
Water Fleas and Small leeches, how do you get rid of them?
Q
Comments (4)
Hey there. I don't know what the temps are in your area. The cure doesn't always seem to work under 50oF according to the info I got. Water fleas are also called fish lice and can be a very serious problem for comets and koi. The leeches seem to be a gastronomic treat for the fishies though I would be willing to deny them this delicacy without a qualm but I don't see any site that recommends a particular treatment for the leeches. The medications I had the best luck with are Dimlin and Anchors Away. One of the aquarium stores here uses Clout. The usual information is for treating the fish and the pond water but it should work on the plants as well. Sandy
...See More
Watering Cottage Gardens - Do You, How Do You, How Much
Q
Comments (29)
Right now, I need a sump pump...and I live on a hill. More rain in the forecast, too. The weather pattern has changed here - normally an El Nino year means severe drought in Oklahoma. Not this season anyway. With our normally semi-dry to dry summers, I use the garden hose to water EVERY day in most areas and every other day in other areas that prefer dryer conditions. We have our own well, so I can also use the sprinkler without ill affects on my plants. It is just like rain water. The birds, butterflies, bees and amphibians love it too. When I hand water, the birds follow me from tree to tree, so I spray up into the trees and they chirp and sing for me. The occasional tortoise will come out of hiding for a long, cool drink, too. I set the mister on the tropicals and water-loving ferns etc. to keep them happy. This takes all day. I use soaker hoses under my veggies when it is very hot and very dry to prevent scorching and so the water will get down deep where the nutrients are and encourage deep roots. For under my Phlox and roses, &etc., I screw on a fan sprayer and let it run slowly, gently and deeply under them to prevent leaf-scorch, and do this as often as needed. I even water in the winter if it is a dry winter. Soil heave (freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw) is terrible here in Okie, and in dry winters this will kill plants and even small trees and shrubs. And of course, potted plants need a drink just about every day in the summer. That is how I have to do it here to keep mine alive year round. ~Annie
...See More
Water Softener - How do you get safe warm/hot water?
Q
Comments (16)
I love my RO filter. Most of my out of town relatives who've come to visit have commented on how they like my water, not knowing it was filtered. One small additional benefit with a softener + RO combination is that the RO membrane will last a bit longer than if you feed it "regular" water. My RO is plumbed to the fridge so it can feed the icemaker + water dispenser, and I have a separate spigot at my prep sink. It sounds like you're already doing it, but you'll want to be sure that you run RO water through plastic tubing, not directly in copper pipes. The plastic tubing is normally run inside the copper pipe. Be aware that the RO filter removes fluoride, so if you have kids you might want to talk to your dentist about it. A fluoride toothpaste and fresh fruit should be plenty of fluoride, but talk to your dentist.
...See More
Tillandsia watering
Q
Comments (47)
It sounds like there are lots of interesting places to shop in your area, so that's promising. I was thinking this morning maybe flea markets might be good places to check. We have a huge one on weekends in our fair grounds (though it is chased away when the State Fair happens for several weeks in September), and I know there are plant sellers there. It's likely they sell garden or house plants but they might sell Bromeliads and that could mean such a seller would know about tillies and not realize there is a market for them, too. I've often thought that if I were rich I'd start a rare plants business, in a storefront, with grow lights, books, containers, proper soil (for those plants that use it), gift wrap, classes, advice... Sell tillandsias, orchids, cactus, etc. Maybe offer an office landscaping service. And I agree, I would not buy a pre-made terrarium (though my friend's terrariums are true works of art... I should take some pics of them and post them here), I prefer to put my own together using single or multiple plants and shot glasses, wine glasses, etc. found at flea markets and thrift stores.
...See More
AndrewH
13 years ago
I mist mine everyday, and I completely wet the entire plant. Then I shake off the excess and put it back in its spot. Sometimes, if I'm in a hurry, I'll give them a very quick dunk in water instead of misting. When I do this they're not soaking for any length of time, each one is in the water for only a second or two at most.

You definitely don't want to soak them overnight every other day, they'll drown! Tillandsia are *extremely* susceptible to overwatering.
nanw_4wi
13 years ago
In my own experience, soaking them overnight doesn't bother them a bit, as long as they're allowed to completely dry out following the soak.

I grow most of mine in the little square orchid baskets...and like andrewh, I usually mist them every couple/few days. I only dunk/soak them every 4-8 weeks or so.

If not grown in relatively bright light...they won't bloom.
I grow mine in a south window. 2 of the several I have bloom every winter...the other 3 or 4 have never bloomed..they may be waiting for a certain point of 'maturity'...I'm not sure.
amccour
13 years ago
... Aaand I just remembered that I haven't watered the two tillies I have in over a month. I should get on that.
exoticrainforest
13 years ago
Bromeliad species do not have roots as we normally expect. Instead they have "hold fasts" which are used only to hold the plant in place, normally on the trunk or branch of a tree but in some cases also in soil.

The Tillandsia are primarily epiphytic meaning they grow on a tree or other plant.

In the wild they collect rain water in the central cone so the only way to water them is to keep them damp and fill the cone with clean water on a regular basis. Most of the plants you have shown can be caused to attach themselves to a piece of cork bark if strapped in place for a long enough period. I have also used just a tiny dab of Liquid Nails glue to cause them to attach but they still need to be wired in place for at least 6 months or longer.

We have a large artificial "tree log" in our tropical atrium almost covered with bromliad and and other epiphytic plants. All are watered via an overhead misting system.

Misting on a regular basis is best but don't forget many of these have periods of dryness in the wild as well. You can see a few photos of our log on the homepage of the link below.

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: The Exotic Rainforest
exoticrainforest
13 years ago
Sorry, bad link!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Exotic Rainforest
rhynno
13 years ago
I've had mine for about a year or so. It's suspended inside an old fish tank that I use to propagate plants so it usually has water inside (the pots don't sit in the water) and tons of humidity. I usually water the plant about once a month if that. I water the plant by dunking it for a half hour to a few hours when I remember to take it out. I don't spray it at all actually. I hope that that helps.

Ryan

Tillandsia Bromeliads, how do you water them?

Comments (8)

rinomanfroni
Original Author

bunnygurl

Related Discussions

AndrewH

nanw_4wi

amccour

exoticrainforest

exoticrainforest

rhynno

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Tillandsia Bromeliads, how do you water them?

Comments (8)

rinomanfroniOriginal Author

bunnygurl

Related Discussions

AndrewH

nanw_4wi

amccour

exoticrainforest

exoticrainforest

rhynno

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

rinomanfroni
Original Author