Page 16 - Landscape-Issue131

FEATURE

T. ionantha rubra producing pups at the base after flowering. Examples T.seleriana, the first air plant grown by In2Plants, has a very large, bulbous base. This one is
of trichomes on the leaves of the plant are also visible. Photo:In2Plants 20 years old and no pups have ever been removed from it. Photo: In2Plants

Airplants • Rare Plants • Accessories • Advice

• Specialist Tillandsia nursery in KZN
• Wholesale Tillandsias
• Retail Airplants, Exotic Plants and Gifts
Different forms of T. ionantha clumps hanging from a Floating T. ionantha druid and T. ionantha huamelula balls in bloom. The use of fishing line gives a • Courier Delivery throughout South Africa
recycled trampoline Photo: In2Plants ‘floating in the air look’. Photo:In2Plants • Nursery open by appointment
• Information and growing advice
Specialists in providing healthy Tillandsias
varieties, such as T. ionantha and T. bulbosa, to display Tillandsias, which will grow birds and insects for pollination. Optimal grown in South African conditions. We provide
work particularly well inside. roots onto the basket. T. fasciculata and T. growing conditions need to be created information and advice on the best ways to
Mounting on wood is a popular way to tricolor both grow well in baskets with bark and these conditions differ, depending on
display air plants, and a waterproof craft glue chippings. whether the growing area is indoors or grow and display your plants.
can be used to attach the plant or tie it on Frames with wire or braid are useful, outdoors, coastal or inland.
with stockings or coated wire, until the plant easy ways to display the plant as a
anchors itself with its roots. Stockings can living picture. Ensure they have enough Appearance of plants
be cut into small strips to tie the plant to the ventilation and don’t get too hot if they are The numerous species and varieties of air
mount. Small pieces of wood are useful to against a sunny wall. plants have narrow, strap-shaped leaves
then hang onto a trellis or tree. Large pieces Glass containers are a popular way to that grow in a rosette pattern, with new
of wood also make great display pieces with display plants indoors and make excellent growth appearing from the centre.
several plants attached. If the wood is beach gifts. It is important to remove the plant from There is a huge variety of colour, texture,
driftwood, make sure any salts have been the glass to water regularly and not allow shapes and flowers. Some plants are very
thoroughly leached out first. any water to sit in the bottom of the glass. small with tiny flowers, others grow to a
If you want to create a clump or ball of Rotate plants in the container as there is no large size, or small individual plants can
plants, hanging is a great way to do it and air movement inside it. Indoor displays will form into large specimen clumps. Many
is particularly useful for bulbous plants. Use require bright light and good air circulation. also change leaf colour, for example T.
coated wire, waxed twine or fishing braid to capitata ‘Peach’ displays deep peach
tie or bend round the base of the plant. It is Varieties available in South Africa colours in bright light before flowering. T.
often useful to hang bulbous plants upside Tillandsias are native to Central and South ionantha and T. brachycaulos change from
down to allow water to drain out and help America and the south eastern USA. None green to red all over before flowering. This
prevent rot. are indigenous to South Africa but they is called ‘blushing’. Flowers can be red,
Open wooden baskets are a great way are not invasive and are visited by native white, yellow, purple or orange.

14 Landscape SA • Issue 131 2023 ruth@rareandair.co.za • 074901603 • www.rareandair.co.za