{"id":1217,"date":"2024-06-24T13:48:38","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T13:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demolinks2.com\/nina-melillo\/?p=1217"},"modified":"2024-06-24T14:24:41","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T14:24:41","slug":"epiphytic-plants-display-a-bromeliad-on-driftwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demolinks2.com\/nina-melillo\/epiphytic-plants-display-a-bromeliad-on-driftwood\/","title":{"rendered":"Epiphytic Plants \u2013 Display a Bromeliad on Driftwood"},"content":{"rendered":"

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An epiphyte is a plant that grows on the surface of something for support. Certain bromeliads are epiphytes and are relatively easy to grow. This family of plants include tillandsia, vriesea, neoregelia, and guzmania. In the wild they cling to tree trunks, bushes, rocks, and even\u00a0cacti<\/a>. Certain bromeliads are unique in that they do not need a pot or soil in which to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Since most bromeliads are tropical, you can put them outside in the summer and bring them in for the winter as long as your summers are warm enough. Mounting bromeliads on driftwood is an easy way to bring nature into your home. Read on to learn about epiphytic plants and how to display a bromeliad on driftwood.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How Epiphytic Plants are Spread in the Wild<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The seeds of bromeliads are spread by birds and mammals. They either pick up the seeds in their mouths and then drop them or they are spread by the animals\u2019 waste.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If the seed lands in a crook of a tree limb or any other crevice where there is moss, lichen, or other natural debris, the seed is likely to germinate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It attaches its roots onto the limb and debris and will continue to grow and thrive drawing nutrition from rainwater, dew, mist, air, and other natural debris that falls in the wild.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Specific bromeliads absorb nutrients through their leaves rather than their roots. The leaves have special scales called trichomes which aid in gathering nutrients from the water and air.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Their roots are used as anchors.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For more on epiphytes,\u00a0click<\/a>\u00a0What is an Epiphyte?<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to Grow Bromeliads in Your Home<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Follow these instructions to simulate an environment in which to grow bromeliads.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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There are many varieties of bromeliads. Some require more humidity than others. Therefore, it is advisable to research the type of bromeliad you have purchased in order to supply it with the perfect blend of water and nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There are numerous ways to house your bromeliads. Generally they are anchored by their roots to driftwood, non-treated wood such as juniper and cedar, or placed in large terrariums, glass globes or open shells. The glass, terrarium, and shell forms of homes are better suited for genus tillandsia, otherwise known as air plants.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Another option is to anchor them to an object covered with sphagnum moss or place them in hanging baskets filled with bark. Unlike bromeliads, tillandsias can also be placed in crevices of houseplants or in a small cup filled with lava rock.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tillandsia in Terrariums, Glass Globes or Oval Shells<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Tillandsia are different from ordinary Bromeliads in that they do not like to grow in a medium.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you choose to purchase a tillandsia, soak it in water for 20 to 30 minutes once it arrives home. Then gently shake out the excess water and place it upside down to dry. This will plump it up and make it very happy. Take note as to how it looks when it is \u201chappy\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Allow your plant to dry almost completely before placing it in an enclosure.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Terrariums<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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If you choose to place them in terrariums or enclosed shells,\u00a0do not add soil to the enclosure<\/strong>. The soil will retain water and cause the roots to rot. Tillandsia do not like any substrate that retains water. For ease of care you can just add pebbles or sand to the enclosure.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Most tillandsia die from over watering. The smaller the terrarium, the less watering the plant will require. There is less space for the water to evaporate so the area retains water. The larger the terrarium the more water it will require because the water will evaporate quicker.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Watering<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Under watering and over watering are issues with tillandsia. It is a delicate balance to correctly water your plant. If the plant leaves curl or roll under, you have not been watering it enough. If the bottom of the plant looks moist and brown you are probably watering it too much.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Try to keep your plant looking \u201chappy.\u201d If you do, then you\u2019ll know you have a well watered plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you choose to put tillandsias outside in the summer, put them in an area with filtered, indirect sunlight. Remember they are native to the rain forest where they do not get direct sunlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Purchase a 10 piece grab bag of tillandsias from Etsy.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Anchoring Bromeliads on Driftwood<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Driftwood is an ideal anchor for an bromeliads. It looks lovely placed on a coffee table or sideboard. BUT BEWARE! You do not want to find a piece of driftwood by the beach and use it straight away. You need to first prepare the wood.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Soak the driftwood in room temperature water for 24 hours to remove the salt.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Rinse the driftwood well and allow it to dry completely.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Selection of Bromeliad<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Select a bromeliad with a small crown of foliage and a large stem. There are many varieties to choose from. Numerous bromeliads have naturally small cups between the leaves which make it easy to water. DO NOT choose a top heavy plant, because you do not want it to topple over causing young roots to tear and die.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Wrapping the Bromeliad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Wrap a medium such as sphagnum moss or coconut coir husks either to the root\/stems of the plant or to the actual wood using staples, silicone glue, jute, bonsai wire or fishing line. Refer to What is an Epiphyte for more information on mediums.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you wrap the stems of the plant with the medium, attach the plant onto the driftwood using only the stem\/roots and medium. Do not attach the plant by its foliage. Secure it using twine, or one of the materials mentioned above.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you attach the medium to the driftwood, gently attach the stems of the plant to the medium using twine, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In order to camouflage the material you used to anchor your plant to the wood, glue some extra sphagnum moss on top of the wire or twine. Use an\u00a0acid free glue produced by<\/a>\u00a0Lineco. (Purchase this at Amazon).<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

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