Sunday, 8 April 2018

Air Plants - are still alive !


So I think I bought these Air Plants about a year ago ..... whenever I have bought these , I have usually ended up just watching them slowly wither away .
 I must be doing something right , because look at them now .....not a lot of difference you might say ...except that they are still here !


 Here they are having their , just ever so slightly , warmer than tepid soak over night in the kitchen sink .


In the morning , I gently shake off the water, carefully pat with a paper towel and then leave them to finish off and readjust while I have my cup of tea .


I  muddled up their plant labels , so cant tell you what they are , except that they are all possibly varieties of Tillandsias .
 I love epiphytic plants...that grow up on the branches of trees and on cliffs amongst ferns lichens and moss ....mostly coming from Rain Forests and mountain sides in South America . I have quite a collection of Epiphyllums up in the greenhouse ....so I thought I,d give these a go .
 My only concern with them is "Are they being ethically sourced ?" With respect for the environment..that being the beautiful rain forests...the so called "Lungs of the our planet Earth " .


I feel uncomfortable that they have had all their roots / aerial roots cut off . I know that they dont actually put their roots into the ground , but the aerial roots are important ......anyway , that is just me having a moan !
 I love the way the one above sparkles in the light as if sprinkled with glitter .


 This one had a hole in the main part of the plant , I discovered this when I opened the packet . We bought them whilst on holiday , so too far to return it..I thought this would be the first one to pop it's clogs .
 I didn't give up on it though and now it has a little pup/side shoot .


 I found this beautiful piece of  drift-wood on the beach and I am thinking of attaching my plants on to it and suspending it in the window ....somehow .
 Thing is ....the plants need to easily be taken off for their fortnightly soak ....hmmm ...
 The sun is shining here in Mullion today , blue sky....just back from church ...going to sit in the Summer house and do my embroidery .
 Have a peaceful Sunday all  .  love Debbie x

2 comments:

  1. Glad they’re doing fine for you! Growing them is extra tricky for us as we are on hard water.

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    1. Do you know..that is a very good point ! Maybe a rain water soak would be of more benefit to them . I could use rainwater from a watering can that has warmed up in the greenhouse . Mark and Gaz - Thanks for dropping in , you have a great week ! :)

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