Question
Air Plant
Hi,
I recently bought a little Air Plant, and everything was going fine until I left it home alone for the weekend. When I came back it was brown and very wilted. What can I do to save it?
I have attached a picture.
Thank You!
Answer
Hi Kathleen,
A weekend shouldn't have made a huge difference if you've been caring for it properly, and in the northeast or any climate that has dry indoor heat it's a little trickier.
Tillandsias grow differently than most other house plants. They are really very hardy, and require much less attention than other house plants.
Protect them from frosts
Most prefer cool night temperatures - below 60 degrees if possible.
Provided the atmosphere is not too dry (as in an air-conditioned home) they require relatively little watering.
If you are growing them indoors and the air is dry, you will need to submerge the plant in water for 2-3 hours about every two weeks. Otherwise, in a shade-house or unheated home, you can use a soaking mist once or twice a week in summer, once a month in cooler weather. Misting alone will not give it sufficient water and I've found the submerging method much more effective. In conditions of extreme drying, and consequent moisture loss, Tillandsia cannot get replacement water from their roots like a terrestrial plant, or draw on internal reserves like a succulent.
Fertilize by adding a pinch of Orchid fertilizer to your mister.
SO IN YOU CASE, ( and did you think I'd ever get there?)I would again submerge your plant in water but this time for about 30 minutes.
It is much better to water in the morning than at night. Air plants absorb the carbon monoide from the air at night instead of the day time. If the plant is wet, it does not breath therefore unless it can dry quickly at night, plan on morning baths. After wetting your plants thoroughly, turn them upside down and gently shake them. I have found that the water that collects near the base is detrimental if left to long. I have lost many stricta that way.
Following each watering, Tillandsias should be given enough light and air circulation to dry in 4 hours or less. Do not keep plants constantly wet or moist. Tillandsia can't get replacement water from their roots like a terrestrial plant, or draw on internal reserves like a succulent.
Bright filtered light is the general rule, and the higher the humidity of the air the higher light will be tolerated. In a very sunny spot indoors they may need daily misting as will as weekly soaking. Indoors, the hotter and drier the air, the more you need to water.
Plants should be given enough light and air circulation to dry in no longer than 4 hours after watering. They won't survive in standing water.
Under-watering is evidenced by an exaggerating of the natural concave curve of each leaf.
Optimum temperature range for Tillandsias is 50 - 90 degrees F.
I have kept my plants outside during 40 degree F. weather but only for a night or two knowing it would be warm during the day.
Use Bromeliad fertilizer (17-8-22) twice a month. It is GREAT for blooming and reproduction! Other water-soluble fertilizers can be used at 1/4 strength (Rapid Grow, Miracle-Grow, etc.) if Bromeliad fertilizer is not available. Mist with a weak solution about twice a month.
Tillandsias can be grown basically anywhere, on rocks, in a seashell or on coral, in ceramic or pottery, attached to wood (not pressure treated wood this is impregnated with copper, and copper will kill your plant). When considering what you are going to do with your plant don't forget that you have to be able to water it and it has to be placed somewhere that it will get sufficient light.
Try not to put Tillandsias in containers that hold water, they need to dry out. If you do place your plant in something that holds water, empty out the excess after watering your plant. The same thing applies when mounting your plant. Do not surround your plant with Moss. It will hold too much water and will rot your plant.
You can use glue, wire, fishing line, twisty ties, nails or staples. Nails and staples can only be used on plants with a woody stolon or with sufficient roots. DO NOT staple your plant on its fleshy parts as it will kill it. Try to use a waterproof glue such as Liquid Nails or a Hot Glue gun, allowing the glue to cool for 5 seconds. Do not not use superglue or copper wire as these will kill your plant.
So Kathleen, I doubt a weekend would kill your plant. I suspect you didn't receive good instructions for care before that and the planti started to dry out, or you left it standing in water.
I hope I didn't give you too much information, and I will spare you the growth cycle. I have found submerging the min water makes a huge difference, most directions tell you only to mist. Before that I killed my share of plants.
It looks like you plant still has some green. I can't see the center and I hope that looks healthy. If it does you should be OK. The outer leaves will probable dry up and when they do just carefully remove them.
I hope this helps. If worse comes to worse, get another. Where did you get it and where do you live. Once you get he hang of it's care it's a really easy palnt to grow.
Let me know how you make out. Thanks for the photo.
Maureen
