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

Well, down in San Diego, there is a show and sale going on in Balboa Park that weekend. Pretty sure there will be some tillandsias on sale there as well as other broms (and probably a lot cheaper than anywhere else). With regards to tillandsias, I'll check who all is selling stuff, some people have a great selection at some sales. A lot of nurseries have at least some selection. Are you looking specific specimen plants, bulk, or just a range of selection? Everywhere from the box stores, Walter Anderson, Armstrong's, Exotic Gardens, and a bunch more. But most seem to have the same suppliers for the air plants so they tend to be the smaller/younger ones and somewhat the same selection. I'm not sure when Bird Rock is open and there is supposed to be something with cool random selection up around Rancho Santa Fe area (I think). I know I'm forgetting others, does anyone else in the area have other suggestions (and for me too)? Gonzer might have some suggestions for North County. -andy

Yes, they'll die slowly and send out pups slowly (according to me in my first year of keeping them :-)). I had two pups, one came out first and then fell off, then another came and stuck around. It is around 7 inches long and about an inch or so in diameter now (mine was a streptophyllum and bulbosa cross I think...). It takes a lot of patience and mine seems to be pretty slow going. I hang mine in a sunny window that is blocked by a rice paper shade. I fertilize when I soak them...I don't know if I'm doing it right, but both of my Tilladsias are hanging in there almost a year later. I can't wait for them to rebloom! minibot

My assumption was that it had been overheated/lighted. Wal-Mart's "garden center" is really just a big fishnet on poles, you know, and I get the feeling the local folks don't know the difference between tropical and backyard plants. But I digress. I've cut the brown out, mostly, I'll get a little closer when I'm more awake. Interestingly, I have three options for keeping this fella: the first floor has the a/c.. right now its about 77F. The second floor feels muggier to me, but then, I dislike muggy! The third floor is much hotter and still humid. All floors have NSEW exposures, I was thinking south? As for the roots, I'll have to look; I thought there was a bulb or something attached to them. I left it alone not knowing what it was. I assume it got scorched, but having read up first I'm hoping the pup will make it! Drenched, as in the 5" pot it was in- the soil was completely soaked like they had dropped it in the pool. It was packed quite hard also, which is why I wanted to get it into something more to its liking. I don't expect to see results quickly, but how long should it take before I see improvement/further deterioration? I do keep an eye on the water in the leaves, they're still doing ok. I'll rinse and refill the leaves tomorrow. And perhaps I've been misinformed, but I was under the impression that broms preferred a faster draining soil?