Tillandsia the air plant

Tillandsia will amaze you with its uniqueness

Tillandsias belong to the bromeliad family and are native to Central and South America. They can be found both in forests, forests, as well as in mountains and deserts. To life do not need to take root, because they live epiphytically, that is, on other plants. Their roots are stunted and use them practically only to attach themselves to the bark of a tree or rock. Nutrients are received through the leaves — these are dotted with fine scales, called trichomes, which trap moisture and minerals.

The origin of the plant is indicated by the coloring of the leaves, it can be green or gray. When grown at home, it is color a good guide when considering where to place the tillandsia and how often to water it.

• Green Tillandsia come from humid rainforests, and therefore also at home need more water and less direct sun. Their leaves are not so much protected by scales, and even succulent webs do not have as dense as other plants of the genus tillandsia.
• Gray Tillandsia are on the contrary, more tenacious. In nature, they are found in very dry areas and are more succulent, can do even with few waterings and can tolerate sharper sun rays.

Plants of the genus Tillandsia and the specifics of cultivation

Although it may seem that tillandsia adapt to anything and care for them is almost maintenance-free, this is not the case. Tillandsia can just hang in the air, set aside on a wooden pedestal or place in a glass aerarium, but you still have to take care of them.

What specifically do species of the genus Tillandsia need?

1. Airy place with diffused light — green varieties require less light and sun, you can place gray varieties closer to the window.
2. Regular dews — tillandsia do not receive water through the roots, but through the leaves. Therefore, plants need to be regularly mulched (the frequency depends on the humidity of the air and the species).
3. Water bath — give your air plants a bath at least twice a month. Simply immerse them in water for about half an hour and let them absorb the necessary moisture. Then shake off excess water from them and let the roots up drip them on a towel. This will prevent mold.
4. Gentle fertilization — if you want to encourage flowering or growth of plants, you can fertilize them. But beware, as they are very sensitive, it is necessary to apply a properly diluted fertilizer for bromeliads or orchids. Fertilize no more than once a month, with a light spray.
   

Tillandsia with their coloring will show you how they are doing and what they possibly lack.

Color of the Tillandsia and its meaning

Tillandsias are green or grey at the base, but many species change colour during their lifetime. Coloring to pink, red, purple to dark burgundy tones. Most often, discoloration occurs before and during flowering — most species bloom only once in a lifetime, and after flowering the plant dies. Even before this happens, several subsidiary offshoots are formed, which continues the growing. You can try to induce a change in color with light — in the morning when the sun is still weak, place the plants in a sunnier location and hope that they color earlier before flowering.

In case of dissatisfaction, Tillandsias turn yellow, brown, or even black. Yellow color signals one of two problems: either is the plant is overwatered, or craves a darker place. So move it further away from the window or stop the watering. Brown discoloration is mostly due to a mold caused by insufficient drainage after a water bath. Drops of water will settle in the leaf rosette, where they will cause rot. Brown leaves then turn black and the plant dies.

Air plants as the basis of original decorations

One of the most popular ways to present Tillandsia is by placing it in glass terrariums. Spherical or geometric shapes made of clear glass makes it possible for the natural beauty of this plant to stand out. They can be supplemented with sand, shells or pebbles. Another option is to use wooden pads or branches to create a rustic and natural impression. The Plant is simply laid on wood together with moss, branches and stones, creating a unique decoration, ideal for Bohemian or Scandinavian style spaces.

With this air plant, you can also make a modern wall decoration. Stretch a fine net or string onto a frame on which the plants will hang. The result is a vivid picture that will make the living room, hallway or bathroom special. Another effective solution is hanging metal hoops to attach Tillandsia. You can decorate the hoops with ribbons and dried flowers, or let the minimalist combination of metal and green leaves stand out. Hanging decoration with these plants easily fit into any interior and fill spaces in which you just can not otherwise hang something.