I notice that its undesired bath has robbed it of all its roots. You might want to put it in the ICU for a couple of months. Mine is a large jamjar with some gravel in the base. Just dampen the gravel enough so when you seal the jar it fogs up but without leaving water lying inside. You may find that your air is on the dry side for Tillandsia depending on where exactly it is that you live. Unlike the majority of bromeliads they don't have any water storage mechanism, so they need humid air especially when it is hot. Most Tillandsias like very bright conditions and can stand quite a lot of sun. Good luck. Ian

I think the guy who sold it to you had one too many shots outta that glass! You can wrap the roots with very thin gauge steel wire which is more flexible than fishing line and hang it in a well-lit area (no direct sun) where after a few years you'll get the making of a nice clump. It can be used as a temporary houseplant for a couple of days (to impress your guests) but then it's back outside with it. Bulbosa is a lover of very frequent misting and like all Tillandsias, constant air circulation, since it's habitat is in the jungles. The reason they are usually mounted sideways or upside down is to prevent water from collecting in the leaf bases, which can rot the pseudo-bulb tills like bulbosa. The greener the Tillandsia, the less light is needed. Good luck....and find another person to buy from ;-)

Gonzer, Aside from some thriving Spanish Moss given to me by a very good friend my experience with Tillandsia is limited. I have a few bromeliads like Vriesea guttata, Hohenbergia and others. They seem to do well and have even formed inflorescences over the years. I was given a handful of Tillandsia like T. funckiana but none are mounted. I have managed to keep an orchid mounted on bark alive. So would you recommend cork over tree fern or another substrate for mounting the Tillandsia? Sorry for the newbie question. Thanks. Bob

I never order plants in any winter months because either the grower or I or both or in between will be frigid. I think tillandsias can be somewhat cold tolerant (depending on type). Someone once described them as living in a "cloud forest" (great visual!) environment, but there are those that live in dry, desert areas (xerographicas) or swamps (Spanish moss), too. However, both such areas can be quite cool (snow in Louisiana, anyone?). I suspect that the seller has probably wrapped them well and you purchased a quick delivery method, so they'll probably survive the trip if they don't get caught stacked up outside. The box is probably marked. They'll come with instructions that may include watering or soaking. You can soak them in warm water (preferably spring water or filtered or fresh-water aquarium water), and "warm" as in warm enough for a baby (by no means hot though). Hey, just look at them; they may look fine and seller instructions may be all you need. Sometimes plants we think are delicate are really quite strong; for example, in my dry climate, roses can be considered great in xeriscapes (dry landscapes). Let us know what they look like when they arrive. If they are later than you paid for and suffered damages, the seller may refund or replace them... and send them in Spring. Also, the shipping company (UPS? FedEx? USPO?) may pay or insurance bought on the shipment may kick in. Keep your paperwork. Oh, even your credit card may offer some coverage.