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Bromeliad tree

17 years ago

I've been saving some cedar branches to make bromeliad trees. Does anyone have experience with this? Can you give me how-to advice? What type of bromeliads would be best? It would be under an old live oak with only filtered light. Which tillandsias would also work? Thanks!

Anna

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Comments (7)

hotdiggetydam
17 years ago
Im in the middle of making some that I will post tommorrow but a good staple gun is a must
hotdiggetydam
17 years ago
Hope these help answer your question
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Sa, from the time mine was tiny to about a year ago, it was tied (in a pot lined w/ plastic wrap) to the top of my bromeliad tree. It got decent light from a south window and from some fl. lights but not GREAT light. I would water it with r/o water periodically. I'd pretty well drench it and then ignore it for a good week or two. Often when I would next water, it had become SUPER light from being so dry. It got too big so i de-mounted it from the tree and this past summer it was in my backyard. It hung under an oak tree for awhile and then hung from a post where it could get a bit more light. Currently its hanging from the ceiling in one of my plant areas. In fact, I just posted some pics on the orchid forum and you can see the staghorn in one of them. I kinda feel that its just time that makes them big. It doesn't seem fussy at all and tolerates really bad conditions so I think just wait a bit longer. Maybe someone else has some better tips, or you could try the moss/fern forum.
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madabouteu
17 years ago
With most tillandsias, you can glue them on - I use Liquid Nails (TM) for the glue, hiding excess glue with a pinch of long fiber spaghnum, I see Hotdiggety is using Spanish Moss rather than sphagnum, so you may want to try that.

Right under a live oak would not be enough light - if possible, put the bromeliad tree at the edge of the oak's shade. There are all sorts of Tillandsia that would work - T. bulbosa, T. baileyi, T. stricta, T. capitata, T. paucifolia and many others.
hotdiggetydam
17 years ago
the spanish moss is for effect only...there is spagnum and I dont use liquid nails on any of the ones that will remain outdoors because the wood swells when wet and plants dont stay attached well enough to support the pups on the Neo's
annafl
Original Author
17 years ago
Wow, those are beautiful plants, hotdiggety. I love the combinations you used. I especially like the driftwood ones. How do you attach them with a staple gun? Don't they get too heavy as well? What about a combination with wire, or jute string and liquid nails? I don't have a staple gun.

My broms are in small pots with media. Should I just wrap the sphagnum moss around the media and then stick them on the tree? Thanks.

Anna
hotdiggetydam
17 years ago
I try to use stolen growing types but you can use rooted plants by wrapping the roots in spagnum and panty hose pouch. I make the pouch with spagnum inside and running out the top and stapling it. If the staples show to much..spanish moss! LOL...within a few months the plants attach to the wood..and later produce pups..some of mine are eight years old and thriving..clear as mud?
hotdiggetydam
17 years ago
I couldnt get this in one shot is 5ft tall. this one is free standing

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