Identification: Need help identifying and caring for air plants..

Hi, 6ish months ago i bought a couple of air plants from wal mart. They were on clearance so i got them. i have been spraying them down at least once a week but im not really sure what kind they are and how to care for them the right way. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks

 

I'm afraid that I can't help you ID them, but I have one that I call "Bad Hair Day" and the instruction that came with it says to give it one teaspoon of water per week. I forget some weeks, but he's looking very good!

 

Cant help you with the species but the general rule with bromeliads is that you keep water in the cup that the leaves form in the middle of the plant at all times. Also keep the roots moist but dont leave them in sitting water as they are really susceptible to root rot. The leaves also burn easily in direct sun so they should be kept in bright indirect light. These general rules are the best i can do without knowing the species.

May want to check out the genera gallery at this site http://www.bsi.org/

 

They are species of Tillandsia, a very diverse genus of bromeliads. Most these curly-leaved "air plant" species have a dense layer of silvery scale-hairs on the leaves through which they can absorb most of their water needs as well as getting nutrients by trapping dust. They are not tank-epiphytes like other bromeliads, though Tillandsia includes tank-epiphytes as well. I'm no expert on their care but believe mist spraying is probably the best way to water, maybe with very dilute foliar fertiliser at long intervals, and they require quite strong light. One common species grows on cacti and boojum trees in one of the hottest deserts of Baja California -- I saw it there.

 

The green one on the right of the second pic looks like it forms a tank. Would you still just mist it?

 

My Tillandsias stay in bright light-no sun- and get misted daily (dripping wet). They are on orchid mix and do put down some anchors in the mix. I like the mix because it helps keep the humidity up around the plants. These plants have been multiplying and flower regularly so guess that my primarily benign neglect is satisfactory to them! :o)

Bill