My air-plant is going to bloom!

[patticake]

When I was at the CNYOS show a few weeks ago, I bought some air-plants. Today, I noticed that one of them is going to bloom! How cool!

[dr_frnkblck]

That's awesome! I didn't even know they bloomed until I saw them at that show.

[Sabien]

It looks cute!

[amersault]

hi, Patti -

are they orchids? or are they those plants they sell at Lowe's mounted on bark w/ no medium and such?

can't wait to see the flowers!

[patticake]

Here's the 3 I got- They're Tillandsias. They aren't orchids. They are epiphytes, however. I still haven't made their little holders. They're just kind of hanging out on top of some of my pots. They get misted twice a day.

[amersault]

oh THOSE! pretty darn cool - i didn't even know they bloomed! look forward to images when they open

[solay]

They are pretty neat plants. Love them mounted on drift wood. Is the flower purple or pink? Bet it's pretty either way.

[patticake]

We'll find out, won't we?

[solay]

Yup. Can't wait to see. I had one that was hot glued to a fridge magnet. I didn't water it so it died. That was years ago though. They sure are pretty and hardy.

[patticake]

Originally Posted by solay

Yup. Can't wait to see. I had one that was hot glued to a fridge magnet. I didn't water it so it died. That was years ago though. The sure are pretty and hardy.

I had one of those, too! I still have the empty sea-shell with the magnet on it. I didn't know it needed to be misted daily! There's a tiny bit of purple peaking out.

[solay]

Yup. That's the one. Oooh...purple. Nice.

[patticake]

Well, the first two blooms "opened", but died before I got a picture. I thought they would do more. I took a pic of this bloom, now knowing that this is "open"! It looks like more coming. It definitely has personality.

[Rishad Kalarikkal]

heiiii.....thats beautiful....thanks for the pics Patti...

[patticake]

You're welcome. I really like this little guy.

[patlee]

Ooooooh, I found a few tillandsias growing on the shrubs out in front of my mother's place in Fla. I cut the branches off the shrubs and brought the air plants back. I can find some small sea shells and do the hot glue gun thing, but that doesn't look like yours (which I love ) How did you do it?

[patticake]

The woman that I bought mine from had made some little wire holders from 20 gauge florists' wire. I bought some 20-g colored wire at a craft store, and just bent the wire with round nosed pliers until I liked it! I'll post pics of the other 2 tomorrow. I just added a bead and charm to the bottom for decorative purposes. I like this better than the seashell thing, as the plant can get water to it all around from misting. It can also have more air circulation, too. I can hang it anywhere. I'm glad you like it! Get creative. They're easy to do.

[lmartiny]

I LOVE your mount. How clever and artistic. Very good job.
Those are some different air plants. Definately not your fridge magnet variety. We do have various ones here in FL that grow wild but none like those. I like the one that looks like a piece of pine tree with the red on the top.

[patticake]

Thanks! I love the "pine tree" one, too! My husband made a similar comment when I bought it! I'll have to post a picture of its little holder...I like how it came out! It even has a new little growth starting on it! My third one is the refrigerator magnet type. I haven't made its holder yet. Been pretty busy.

[solay]

Patti the wire mount is great. Very creative and beautiful. The bloom is very interesting too. So they don't last very long then? Too bad. Would have like to have seen the other blooms too.

[lmartiny]

We've got some property an hour east of here that is typical Florida. Part wooded, part pastureland. My husband spotted an air plant on a low hanging dead branch on an oak. We check it every once in a while. I'll have to look again. (And see if it blooms) There are others closer to the fridge variety, but not as small. If I come across some, I could pop one off and send it to you for fun. (If it's legal) I know we have to be careful about introducing things where they should not be. The Brazilian Pepper tree comes to mind. It is overtaking our natural plants here and is invasive as can be.

[patticake]

Wow! I do have one that's the typical fridge type. it's in the picture of the 3 plants that's further up in the thread. I can't imagine how cool it would be to have them just growing in my yard! That would be pretty neat.