Tillandsias aka Airplants

You know them. The most common ones look like tiny pineapples, hence the chinese name “air pineapples”. Here is a pic of a blooming Ionanatha Maxima. When the airplant blooms, the leaves sometimes change colour.

Here is a tray of Ionantha Rubra and Ionantha v. Ionantha:

For some odd reason, I love airplants. Perhaps I got that from my mother.

25 years ago, she bought loads of them. And loads of them died on her. She thought it was her brown fingers. But now we know that it could be the salty air (she lives near the sea).

It is a pity she has refused to start on them again as recent years have brought many different types of airplants into the Singapore market.

One of the most sought after is the King of Airplants: Xerographica. I was not too keen on the “little” fella. A present of two Xeros softened my heart. My friend has a Xero clump (that’s rare).

Now that there is a King, there has to be a Queen, right?

Meet Streptophylla. I have both the normal and the purple form.

“There’s normal and purple form?” Oh yes. When you start on airplants, do not be surprised at the variations you can find. Here is a picture of Streptophylla purple.

I have been growing airplants for about 2 – 3 years now. Presently, I am going for the big plants and the clumps. If you think a blooming (I’m not swearing) single Ionantha Druid is pretty, then wait till you see the clump. The best part is that the bloom is white and not the common purple (ack) one.

Here is one of my favourite picture: two bunches of spanish moss hanging in my Garden. When I first hung it up, I was worried that someone with an overactive imagination might have a heart attack:

Nearby hangs the Selerianas:

I was told that these require a higher skill level. I have no problems with them in my Garden but others have quite a bit of problem with it.

If you want to know more about Airplants in Singapore, then join me at Green Culture Singapore. The link it on the right side of this page. See ya!