Question
Hello
I have a tillandsia, and the pup is large enough to separate from the mother plant. I have a hearth made of stone and that's where I want to mount it. Can I simply lash it to the rocks with fish wire(there is a growlight on top of the hearth)without a container to water it in? And when I do need to water it, is frequent misting enough? If not, will it work to pour a small amount of water into the cup?
Secondly, if this plant receives enough light and water, will it bloom naturally? (I mean, without putting ripe fruit by it, or something along those lines.)
Thank you.

Answer
Hi there,

Tillandsias are sometimes known as 'air plants' because they can be grown in the air without benefit of soil. In nature they attach themselves to tree branches and live on the daily moisture of the tropical rain forest.

Yours can be lashed to stone or wood or whatever hard surface you choose. Perhaps there is a language issue here, but 'hearth' usually refers to the floor of a fireplace and I am not sure that is an appropriate place for any plant! Perhaps it will be mounted above the fireplace on the mantle. That would not be a good location if the fireplace is actually used to burn wood as the surrounding air would be too dry.

However you mount your Tillandsia, it is best to soak it by dunking it in water every 2-3 days. Misting in between will help a bit, but not much.

Tillandsias will not flower unless they are exposed to a lot of natural light. That is more important than the ethylene gas given off by the ripening fruit. The grow light will provide enough light to keep it a alive, but probably not enough to get it to flower, even with the fruit.

I have written an article on Bromeliads, including Tillandsias, that I will email for free to anyone who sends a request to me at my address below.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC