{"id":303,"date":"2021-01-27T13:07:16","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T13:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shaneturrell.co.uk\/?p=303"},"modified":"2021-05-10T16:58:40","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T16:58:40","slug":"how-to-take-care-of-air-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-952350-3318737.cloudwaysapps.com\/how-to-take-care-of-air-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Take Care of Air Plants? <\/br> Step by Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>
\n

How to Take Care of Air Plants? <\/strong><\/p>\n

 Yipee! After days of waiting, your air plants finally arrived!<\/p>\n

Have you thought of any cute names? Hmmm, I suggest you do the naming later.<\/p>\n

You still have a lot of things to do.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now <\/strong><\/p>\n

After unpacking, prepare them a water bath. Yes! Your air plants would need that good soak for 20-30 mins.  Afterward, wobble those cute things off to remove the excess water. <\/p>\n

And I bet you already found a space with bright light because that would be the perfect spot for air plants to thoroughly air circulate.<\/p>\n

These were just surface knowledge that you need to learn when grooming air plants.<\/p>\n

So fasten your seatbelt.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I will bombard you with information that will help you grow the best air plant there is in the neighborhood!<\/p>\n

Back to Home Page: ShaneTurrell<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>
\n

Air Plant Care Instructions<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\"Air
Source: Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You see<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tillandsia or air plants are unique plants that can quickly grow with proper care and consideration. <\/p>\n

Despite being called air plants, they still need sufficient nutrients found in soil to thrive– but this time, they acquire it through the air. <\/p>\n

And wanna know how they do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

They have these trichomes– or the tiny vessels on their leaves, which allows them to catch moisture and nutrients in the air.<\/p>\n

And they are epiphytes or the type of plants that are not parasitic yet would need a host to act as their home. <\/p>\n

Cool, right?<\/p>\n

Now, if you\u2019re about to grow one, here are instructions that would surely come in handy.<\/p>\n

Environment:<\/h3>\n

Well, this one is a critical factor that you need to consider. Environment plays a crucial role in its survival. <\/p>\n

And remember<\/strong><\/p>\n

As an owner, assessing the environment is your responsibility. <\/p>\n

It would give you an idea of the particular support you need to provide. And it would also tell you the amount of watering and the specific techniques you should use to make sure that they acquire the sufficient moisture they need. <\/p>\n

So, if you live in an area with a warmer climate, you would need to soak and mist them more frequently. Do the opposite when you\u2019re in areas with high humidity. <\/p>\n

Air Plant Species:<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s an advice<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do not just pick an air plant without actually knowing what it is.<\/p>\n

Even if all air plants are Tillandsia, various species differ in size, shape, and growth style. Also, they tend to vary in trichrome concentration.<\/p>\n

Some of it would need more sunlight and lesser water like the silver-leaved variant. And contrastingly, the darker Tillandsia would often need more moisture and could quickly wilt when placed in a spot where there is direct sunlight.  <\/p>\n

So what does it mean for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It means each species would require specific care, and this needs thorough consideration. <\/p>\n

So, choose your preference wisely!<\/p>\n

Light<\/h3>\n

Regarding light, air plants generally grow in a bright environment, not directly exposed to sunlight.<\/p>\n

Is this achievable?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course, it is! Keeping it indoors is an option, and fluorescent lights could do the job for you. You can place it three to five feet from the window to stay away from direct daylight heat. <\/p>\n

But if you have less space, you could still put them in a spot with direct sunlight. Just make sure to put them in a shaded area. You can try misting them every other day. <\/p>\n

And be mindful of the air plant variety you have and choose the one that would prefer the outside environment.<\/p>\n

Water<\/h3>\n

Hey, you might be thinking that air plants, unlike other plants, would only need air and would not need to be watered.<\/p>\n

Well, you got it wrong,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though they are not susceptible to drought, they could die without sufficient water.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to do<\/strong><\/p>\n

You need to check what variety of air plants you have and water them appropriately. <\/p>\n

But the good news?<\/strong><\/p>\n

These types of plants would forgive you for slacking off. They usually don\u2019t mind if you\u2019d go on vacation for a few days. Still, you need to be mindful of the watering schedules.<\/p>\n

The most recommended practice is to water them in the morning and upon soaking, immediately rinse off the excess water since it could rot its roots, damaging the plant.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the dunking method where you put the plants in the water several times and momentarily shake it off to remove water excess.<\/p>\n

If ever you see the plant wilting, the tendency is it needs further hydration. In this case, leave it overnight in a bowl of water. It must have healthy opened leaves, not curved ones. <\/p>\n

Take note!<\/strong><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want to plunge the flowers into the water because the excess moisture might cause them to rot.<\/p>\n

Air<\/h3>\n

As it is an air plant, yes, the most crucial variable for this kind of plant is, drumrolls\u2026 air!<\/p>\n

The unique ability this plant has is the utilization of air circulation to survive. So, it needs a clean environment to survive. You must ensure that they get sufficient air right after being watered, and it should last for four hours.<\/p>\n

Make sure to put this in mind.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Place them in open containers since enclosed ones can restrict their access to air circulation. Upon resting it there, make sure that there is no water excess.<\/p>\n

Terrariums\/Globes<\/h3>\n

Well, only if you want to be stylish and you want to give your air plant a new look, you can try terrariums and globes!<\/p>\n

But a new container means new treatments and watering patterns.<\/p>\n

Well, don\u2019t budge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The adjustment will not be that hard. You only have to proceed to regular watering while giving your plant sufficient time to be dry. It usually takes four hours. <\/p>\n

Jot this down<\/strong><\/p>\n

There should be misting procedures periodically if you have air plants in globes or terrariums. The amount of misting must depend on the size and compaction of the space. The larger the globe, the more frequent the misting. In larger terrariums, few sprays a week will do to allow more air circulation.<\/p>\n

But be careful!<\/strong>
Do not over mist. Too much moisture might rot the plant. <\/p>\n

Sea Urchins<\/h3>\n

Assuming that you have bought a sea urchin kit upon purchasing the air plant, you must know these few tips.<\/p>\n

Have the plant removed from the urchin when dipping it into the water. Also, make sure that you have dried it well before returning it to the urchin.<\/p>\n

And why is that?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s because you will have difficulty in removing any water excess from the urchin afterward. And keeping it there will surely damage the plant.<\/p>\n

But, you can still do misting in your sea urchin once in a while<\/p>\n

Temperature<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n

Generally, air plants are best grown in warm conditions. The exact temperature must be between fifty to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. <\/p>\n

If you reside in areas without the winter season, you can put them outside the whole year-round. But, you might think of putting them on the balcony during summer. They usually hate exposure to heat extremes or direct sunlight.<\/p>\n

But with freezing conditions, here\u2019s the option for you.<\/p>\n

Keep the air plant indoors with fluorescent light to keep it warm and comfy.<\/p>\n

Fertilizer<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s the good thing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to go to gardening shops to buy fertilizers. Raising air plants do not require one. But, if you\u2019re really looking forward to keeping your plant in its optimal condition, you can still apply fertilizers.<\/p>\n

So what do they do?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, they keep your plant in its best condition to reproduce and bloom. There are Bromeliad fertilizers that can be applied once a month. You could also use some indoor plant fertilizers that contain low levels of copper.<\/p>\n

But do not brush this off.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Air plants are susceptible to chemicals, so make sure only to apply small quantities. <\/p>\n

Trimming<\/h3>\n

Just like any other plant, your air plant would probably need some trimming over time.<\/p>\n

There will be excess leaves and roots here and there, and if you don\u2019t want them messy, you have to learn how to trim them well.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the proper way to do it<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first is to get rid of all the withered leaves with scissors. You can style your trimming by cutting at a certain angle to give it a natural appearance. You don\u2019t have to keep the roots. You can cut from the base of the plant, and it could still grow!<\/p>\n

The only function of roots is to attach the plant to the host, and you can simply do this with a superglue.<\/p>\n

Easy peasy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pups<\/h3>\n

The air plant\u2019s blooming is a must-to-see, but it is also the time where offshoots appear. You can easily distinguish the leaves from the \u201cpups\u201d with their distinct form of their own.<\/p>\n

And be mindful!<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it becomes too big that it reaches a third of the parent air plant\u2019s size, you can detach it away. The process should be done smoothly through a gentle twist with a careful downward push. You could also try using a razor blade to slice the pup from its stem. <\/p>\n

Then, you can plant the pup and raise it separately. <\/p>\n

If ever you decide not to remove the \u201cpup,\u201d it will just turn into a \u201cclump\u201d where it continually blooms until the blooming season ends. <\/p>\n

The decision is yours on what to do with your pup!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
\n

Why do my air plants keep dying?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\"Why
Source: Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be straight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having your air plants dying is the worst probable circumstance imaginable. So, to prevent this scenario from happening, it is essential to follow all the stated procedures.<\/p>\n

But to answer the question.<\/strong><\/p>\n

No particular or definitive answer would specifically kill your plant. But, in cases of air plant\u2019s death\u2019s here are few factors that you need to review:<\/p>\n