maurasaporito2
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia is a genus commonly known as Airplants. This particular plant is from Guatemala, but Tillandsia can be found in Central and South America. These plants are epiphytes, meaning they absorb their nutrients and water through their leaves as opposed to soil. They use the CAM cycle to prevent water loss and accumulate carbon dioxide. Temperature is not a huge factor in the survival of Tillandsia, but frost may have harmful affects depending on the species. They have small roots that are used to anchor the plant to just about anything. These plants are extremely versatile and can thrive under many conditions, and may even be glued or stuck to a number of objects in a decorative fashion. In fact, I have glued this Tillandsia ionantha to a cork to simply hang on a wall. These plants are extremely easy to care for, as they survive using indirect sunlight or fluorescent lighting and only need to be watered 1-2 times per week. My Tillandsia ionantha have been living with mainly fluorescent lighting and watering 2 times a week, and have about doubled in size in the month and a half that I have had them. Unfortunately, my plants are not in bloom right now, but when they are some of their leaves turn a pink/red color and they may sprout purple and yellow flowers.
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia is a genus commonly known as Airplants. This particular plant is from Guatemala, but Tillandsia can be found in Central and South America. These plants are epiphytes, meaning they absorb their nutrients and water through their leaves as opposed to soil. They use the CAM cycle to prevent water loss and accumulate carbon dioxide. Temperature is not a huge factor in the survival of Tillandsia, but frost may have harmful affects depending on the species. They have small roots that are used to anchor the plant to just about anything. These plants are extremely versatile and can thrive under many conditions, and may even be glued or stuck to a number of objects in a decorative fashion. In fact, I have glued this Tillandsia ionantha to a cork to simply hang on a wall. These plants are extremely easy to care for, as they survive using indirect sunlight or fluorescent lighting and only need to be watered 1-2 times per week. My Tillandsia ionantha have been living with mainly fluorescent lighting and watering 2 times a week, and have about doubled in size in the month and a half that I have had them. Unfortunately, my plants are not in bloom right now, but when they are some of their leaves turn a pink/red color and they may sprout purple and yellow flowers.