my airplant

My tillandsia seems to have developed these thread like appendages. I expect they are roots but I'm not sure. Can any kind and knowledgeable person tell me what they are?



[ 07. August 2005, 09:38 AM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

They can produce roots that help anchor them in place

http://www.killerplants.com/plant-of-the-week/20011112.asp

 

yeah, i'd say they were roots as well. maybe tie it onto a bit of shaped wood?

 

Shows its happy, a few roots means it likes its growing conditions.
Most people just give them a long lingering death

 

Thanks, Pete, I did take the trouble of getting instructions - from the internet, where else - and it is immersed for an hour or two in pure water every two weeks which it seems to enjoy. It's always nice and plump and green afterwards.

It lives in a little glass vase on my bathroom windowsill were it gets lots of light also sunshine in the late afternoon.

Perhaps it's come to stay!!!

[ 07. August 2005, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

You may have just saved my air plants life - a pressy from a friend, with intructions that said do nothing - so that is what I did (duh) - it is now having a soak.

 

Oh, that's so satisfying! The number of people I've had (at work and elswhere) who told me to do nothing or to spray it with a mister.
But a short search got me http://www.quailcreekpottery.com/TillandsiaCareInstructions.htm where I found fullsome instructions on care.

Enjoy your plant, Fran

[ 09. August 2005, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

OK, you've persuaded me to have another go as I've always failed miserably with these things.

They are fascinating and the flowers can be spectacular.

Why do garden centres sell them stuck to plastic frogs, penguins, houses, other trashy ornaments? Cork bark or roots I can live with.

 

I couldn't agree more!!

Oh! Do they flower? I didn't know that!

 

Great news, friends - one of the 'roots' on my airplant is producing a baby! Put the kettle on, nurse!

 

Thought I'd bump this thread - pretty old, tho but!

Thing is, the first website I looked at (link above) said to immerse the plant in water every 2/3 weeks but having done that, it's not thriving at all so I had another look round and came up with this site which tells a different story - water the plant two or three times a week and fully immerse it every week or two. Rather different, wouldn't you say? Still, I have had it for 2�½ years now so the poor things still hanging on.

 

That's a really useful site, MMD - many thanks for the link. Like so many people, I thought misting them was what was needed...... Oh, well..... Now I know better! :D