So, as an artist and designer, I started creating my Plantstr Watercolor Collection.
I’ve been able to capture the exquisite beauty of air plants at their peak of brilliance, and can now share that moment in watercolor prints in various sizes, either flat or framed, as well as canvas wrapped prints, note cards and other goodies for your home and office. These make memorable gifts for the Tillandsia lovers in your life.
You can place an order here (http://www.plantstr.net/collections/tillandsia-air-plant-watercolor-collection) for 8”x10” watercolor prints. These are individually printed on 300gsm Acid-Free, Cold Press Watercolor Paper.
Other sizes of Prints and Stretched Canvas Prints – with and without frames, as well as a great collection of customized goods and wearable’s can be purchased at: www.society6.com/plantstr.
PLEASE NOTE: Interior Designers- please contact me for additional sizes, finishes and framing options up to 30”x40”. Perfect for Restaurants, Hotels and Retail.
Les@Plantstr.net
]]>The closest "relative" of air plants is the pineapple. You can find a lot of air plant varieties for sale today because they don’t need too much care and they can be combined with various decorative items.
]]>The majority of airplants come from Central and South America, but they are also found in California, Texas and a few other areas of the USA. The reason the name given is air plant is because of how they feed – they get their hydration and nutrients from the air.
A prime example of airplants is the Ionantha family, which includes Fuego, Mexicana, Rubra and numerous other varieties. Before they go into bloom, the Ionantha's will be mainly green in overall color. During the bloom cycle, the top leaves of the plants will turn bright red, then produce tubular purple flowers with yellow pistils. The flowering cycle is truly magnificent.Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are a kind of epiphytes. The plants are well known for their thick, silvery foliage and vivid flowers, but these unique plants don’t require any soil to grow, however, they still require a place to hang-out. Unlike traditional plants, air plants are not parasites, meaning they do not get their nutrients from their host. Even though they have roots, the roots are used for anchoring rather than getting nutrients. These plants get all their water and nutrient requirements from absorption through their leaves.
When grown indoors, these plants make a striking addition to your indoor décor. They have different appearances and can be used to decorate different rooms in a house. Just like any other house plant, these plants require some care to thrive.
So how do we take care of Air Plants...
Water Needs
Water is crucial to the survival of air plants. When they receive the water in sufficient quantities, their silvery leaves are very beautiful. You need to mist them every few days, especially if they're exposed to dry indoor environments or drying winds.
These plants also require regular deep-water hydration, especially if there are signs of drying out. To give an air plant a bath, submerge the whole plant in clean, room-temperature water for about 30 minutes. Make sure the flowers are not submerged or they will die prematurely. Shake off any excess moisture, let dry and then return your plant to their home. Soak your plants once every month.
The plants are very sensitive to the chemicals in water. if you use tap water, let it sit overnight so the chemicals evaporate. Water with a PH higher than 8 or softened water which is high in salt is deadly to these plants. Bottled water works well and rain water is even more effective.
Lighting
Air plants require indirect or partial sunlight to grow. When indoors, keep them no more than 10 feet from the window. A simple fluorescent light will also work well. However, be sure not let the plant stay exposed to direct sun for too long, as it might suffer from leaf burn.
Dealing with Pups
These plants produce beautiful, long-lasting flowers, before producing pups (baby air plants). The plants will grow 2-8 pups. The pups can be left on the parent plant to give a fuller appearance, or can be removed to create separate plants. If you want to remove the pups, make sure they are at least 1/2 the parent’s size. This ensures the pups are strong enough to live on their own.
Grooming
Air plants rarely require pruning thanks to the natural dense, tidy growth pattern. However, they require occasional grooming to restore their beautiful appearance. Remove all dead, dry or brown leaves from your air plant. Cut back any dead or brown tips until what is left is a healthy growth. Trim any unsightly growth of, if you wish, roots from your plant. When pruning use sharp pruning shears. I like to use a small pair of surgical scissors.
Feeding
Air plants in captivity need minimal supplemental nutrients to flourish. Feeding these plants differs from many others because of the epiphytic nature. Their own roots are very sensitive and can't absorb urea like the terrestrial plants. You can feed them with urea-free fertilizer with N-P-K analysis of '30-10-10'. Orchid fertilizer works well when diluted. Mix this fertilizer at ¼ the recommended strength. Dissolve the fertilizer in one gallon of water. Mist the fertilizer solution onto the plant’s leaves until they’re saturated, or just add to the monthly soaking bath.
Potential problems
Air plants experience few problems. They don’t suffer from chronic diseases and insects and pests rarely bother them because the do not grow in soil. For a healthy air plant, the entire plant requires access to free air. Grow the plants mounted on some wood or any other organic material, or place the plants on top of stones or sand, like in our Terrarium Globes. Avoid putting your plants vessels that allow water to collect, as this will surely kill you plants.
Plants are beautiful; they are a symbol of life and beauty in its purest form. Having plants within the house is even better as they give you a sense of being in touch with nature and the peace that come with that even when you are inside your house. However, most plants require a lot of attention, finding the right vase; watering them regularly otherwise they will die. All this may be a bit overwhelming and if you love plants but do not trust yourself in remembering to tend to them regularly, then air plants may just be the plants for you.
Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are a branch of the Bromeliad family of plants that DO NOT require soil in order to thrive, but rather get most of their nutrients and water from the air. Their leaves are designed in such a way that they absorb all the nutrients needed for their survival-hence the name air plants. In nature, they require a surface on which they can attach themselves using their roots, mostly trees, rocks, walls and other plants, and do not take any nutrients from the host.
Air Plants thrive naturally in tropical, warm weather conditions. However, there are over 550 species of the plant and their needs may vary. Most air plant leaves are thin, tubular shaped and change color from green to red when they are about to produce their gorgeous purple/yellow flowers.
Air plants are quickly becoming popular. Given that they come in many varieties, you need to conduct some research in order to be able to make a decision as to what will grow best for your needs. The Internet is a good place to start and has pictures of the various types of air plants.
So after selecting the air plants you prefer for your collection or design, you need to know how to take care of them. They do not require as much attention as the other ordinary plants. but if neglected for too long will die. It is important to place the plants where they are getting a good amount of filtered sunlight, but not baking in direct sunlight.
A little misting is necessary once or twice a week, as is a monthly soaking bath. This will go a long way in providing the extra moisture air plants need inside a home. Fertilized in liquid low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as that used for orchids, on a quarterly schedule would help give them extra nutrients. Diluted the fertilizer to 1/4 strength and either add to your misting bottle or to your soaking bath. Air plants cannot survive in cold climates and therefore avoid keeping in temperatures below 50 degrees. Most importantly, the plant is totally dependent on air to live, hence ensure there is a lot of free flowing air around it. DO NOT bury in soil or other materials that absorb water. Do all this and your air plant will grow beautifully. Buying air plants from a reputable dealer is the best option, especially if you do not know much about air plants. This is because they have already made the decision concerning what species survive the best and would provide you with first hand advice on how to care for the plants. After all, we are part of nature.
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Air plants are ideal for those who have a phobia for houseplants but would still like to enjoy the luxury of modern beautiful home decor. These exotic plants are easy to grow and are quite tidy since they can grow and thrive without soil. They are becoming quite popular and readily available for purchase even in online markets. However, not all may be reputable dealers and a reputable one is highly recommended. Plantstr is a great choice, and you can check out their prices and stock. There is a large variety to choose from plus customer satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. You will get fresh air plants straight from the green house. However I must warn you, choosing is definitely going to be hard. They are all so adorable.
What makes air plants exotic plants is their ability to survive long on neglect. They are warm weather tolerant hence the fancy attribute. However, as much as they are easy to grow certain important guidelines should be strictly followed to take care of them and in turn keep your home's elegance. First, as the name suggests, constant air supply is a vital need for these exotic plants. It is important to ensure that your air plant are put in properly aerated areas of your home. If not create necessary vents to ease in air supply. As I mentioned earlier, air plants are dependent on warm weather and will die if kept in places where temperatures are below 45 degrees. If you live in temperate areas you can grow the air plants even outside your house provided that you protect them from the cold during the winter.
Like other plants, air plants also require fertilizer. You should try to fertilize your air plants at least once a week. The fertilizer should be a liquid low-level nitrogen mixed at only a quartrer strength. Another vital requirement you should consider when taking care of your air plants is moisture. Moisturizing the exotic plants should be done daily unless it is winter, in which case moisturizing twice or once a weak will be fair.
Despite being warm-weather tolerant, air plants should be protected and kept away from direct sunlight. In outdoor environments they will thrive best in partial or dappled shades. Indoor environments should be brightly lit and the lights filtered appropriately.
Reputable dealers are very important too. They offer the best deals and discounts in the first place. Secondly, air plants are quite delicate and so this requires you to liaise with reputable dealers when purchasing them. Reputable dealers usually have the best grown and disease free air plants available in stock. Reputable dealers also offer invaluable advice on how you can handle or take care of these exotic plants. Lastly a reputable dealer will surely come in handy when you need assistance in choosing an air plant that may suit your home and needs.
Since there are over 550 types known, your initial task is find a few good resources that have quality pictures and information on the many types air plants available. Once you find a few resources, you need to then narrow down your selection by those that fit into your project or collection, then narrow that search by size, price and availability.
So now you think you know what you want, the next challenge is where can you actually buy Air Plants? If you are not a wholesale buyer like most of us, then unfortunately, few local resources exist that will sell to the hobbyist or collector. A good place to start is your local Farmers Markets and Craft Fairs. Sometimes they have Air Plants vendors in attendance, but most aren’t able to provide a large variety of Air Plant species for sale at their booth. And if it’s winter where you live… forget about it. Since floral shops and garden centers typically don’t inventory Air Plants, your next best option is the Internet.
Sites like ETSY have numerous sellers that carry air plants. While most are smaller shops, you’ll still be able to learn about Air Plants, see how others are using them and choose some of the varieties that best fit into your projects. There are also a few larger sellers on ETSY, and there are several larger companies with their own online stores. Most make purchasing very easy and safe. Several of the larger shops offer nice Variety Packs. These are good places to start to buy your Air Plants and build your collection. Shop wisely, prices vary considerably, and so do plant size and quality.
If you live in a Freeze Zone when ordering, be sure the supplier offers a Winter Heat Pack to protect you plants during cold weather shipping.
]]>Air Plants require no soil. Instead, they are epiphytes in nature, meaning they attach themselves to trees, rocks, fences, telephone wires and whatever other structures are available, but do not rely on their host for survival. They attach themselves by a cluster of long, tough root-like arms growing from the base of the plant.
Air Plants are native to the West Indies, Mexico, and much of Central America, south to Colombia, eastern Brazil and Argentina. They are also grown and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical states, from California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
There are well over 550 different varieties of air plants. While each variety is similar in the way they grow and reproduce, the variety among species is phenomenal. When Tillandsias begin to flower, the uppermost leaves become bright red and most produce tubular flowers with bright violet petals that are absolutely gorgeous.
After flowering, most plants produce offsets, called Pups, around its base. Mature plants will eventually produce many Pups and therefore continue the life cycle. If left to grow together, the Pups grow into beautiful Air Plant clusters.
Most Tillandsias require bright, diffused sunlight and will benefit from misting several times per week, as well as a good soaking every other week. Placing the entire plant into a tub of water from several minutes to several hours to fully benefit from the hydration. Bottled water works well, as does tap water that has sat overnight so the chemicals have time to evaporate. Never use distilled water, it will kill your air plants. When you remove your plants from the soaking bowl, shake off any excess water and let the plant air dry before returning it to its home. Be careful to not soak the delicate flowers, as they will dissolve.
With proper care and a friendly environment, your Air Plants will live and reproduce for many years.
]]>This year give a unique gift that actually keeps on giving. One that will provide years of enjoyment… an exotic air plant display from Plantstr. Choose from our various Terrarium Globes Kits, our simplistic Zen Collection, our Exotica Wood Collection or from our Treasures of the Sea. Each of our collections are perfectly matched to fit into any décor, from Traditional and Art Deco to Zen and Minimalist, we make buying unique air plant gifts easy.
Our 6” Hanging Terrarium Globe Kits are one of our most popular gift items. Each of our Kits come complete with everything needed to create your very own custom designed terrarium. Unlike many of the smaller globes offered, our large 6” glass terrariums have a wide opening, making it very easy to assemble and maintain your air plants. You can use everything we send, or add some of your own personal touches, Building our kits is only ½ the fun, the other ½ is watching your air plants grow and bloom for years to come.
Be sure to place your order no later than February 5th to ensure delivery before Valentine’s Day.
PLEASE NOTE: During the winter months, we highly recommend purchasing a Heat Pack for shipping. If your gift is going to a Freeze Zone, this is the best $4.50 insurance you can buy to protect your plants from freezing. While we do our best to insure arrival of healthy plants by using USPO 2-3 Day Priority Mail, we have no control over Postal delivery schedules or temperature.
]]>Here is an easy 2-step water regimen that will keep your air plants healthy:
1) Fill a fine mister with either bottled water or tap water. If you use tap water, let the water sit overnight in an open container so that all the chemicals have time to evaporate.
Mist your plants about twice a week to start. If your home is extremely dry, mist more often. Don’t be timid, a good mist is healthy. You can either remove them from their container, or just mist them in place. Either way, a fine mist twice a week usually works fine for basic maintenance.
2) One a month, give your air plants an opportunity to completely rehydrate. To do this, carefully remove your plants (if possible) from the container and place then into a soaking bath for about ½ hour. Remove your plants, shake off the excess water and then let them dry before placing them back into their container. Be sure to use bottled or aged tap water. Never use distilled water. It will kill your plants.
Be sure to water or soak your plants in the morning or early afternoon so they have time to completely dry. If placed into a contained wet, your plants may rot from the bottom and die.
If your plants are flowering, be careful to keep the blooms dry. Watering the flowers will shorten the bloom life.
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Looking for Holiday Gifts that are truly unique, exotic and really cool? Give a gift that keeps on giving.
Air Plants are colorful, easy to care for, exotic and affordable. Due to the many positive attributes of Air Plants, they are becoming more and more popular, making them perfect for urban setting, including apartments, homes, offices, restaurants and store displays.
1) Air Plants Are Clean – requires no soil
Because Tillandsia are epiphytes, meaning they grow as a host, they require absolutely no soil to survive. The roots, or fingers act only as anchors to attach themselves to their host. Air Plants are found growing on trees, rocks, fences, power lines and numerous other objects. They are able to absorb all the water and nutrients they need to survive directly from the air and through their leaves.
2) Air Plants Are Easy To Care For – just mist 2x week
Most air plants do well with a good misting every few days, plus a good soak at least once a month. Mist your plants with 2-3 sprays for small globes, more if in a larger open container. If the humidity is very low in your home, misting more often may be necessary for healthy, thriving plants.
3) Air Plants Are Hardy – adaptable to most environments
Air plants are very hardy and will tolerate temperatures ranging from 45º to 100º Fahrenheit. If you live up north and frost is approaching, it’s time to move your plants indoors. Inside, Air Plants need to be near a window to receive adequate, filtered light – avoid direct sun, especially if your plants are in a globe.
4) Air Plants Clean The Air – act as natural air filters
Another very interesting attribute about Air Plants is that they clean the air and act as a natural air filter. In fact, a few years ago, there was a study that showed that the Tillandsias can clean the air and remove more airborne particles than any other plant on earth.
5) Air Plants Have Magnificent Blooms – bursting with color
When a Tillandsia begins to flower, the uppermost leaves start to turn a bright red, and depending on variety, produce various types of flowers, ranging from red, pink, purple and yellow tubular flowers with bright violet petals. Flowering Tillandsias are absolutely gorgeous.
With proper care and a friendly environment, Tillandsias will live and reproduce for many years. They truly provide a gift that keeps on giving!
Need more information on where to buy air plants, please read our Blogs or visit Buy Air Plants Online.
Happy Air Planting!
Your friends @ Plantstr
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The Bulbosa Belize is one of my favorite Tillandsia, or Air Plants. It is a very exotic and distinctive variety that shares little similarity in appearance to other air plants. The Bulbosa is native to the West Indies, southern Mexico, and much of Central America, south to Colombia and eastern Brazil. It typically grows in dense masses in forests on trees and in mangrove thickets along the coast, as well as fences, posts, cliffs and rocks. Its very adaptable and found at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet.
Its base is a large bulbous mass, producing narrow, oddly twisted and curly leaves, giving this variety an extraterrestrial appearance. When the Bulbosa begins to flower, the uppermost leaves become bright red and produce tubular flowers with bright violet petals. The flowering Bulbosa is absolutely gorgeous.
After flowering, each plant will produce offsets, called Pups around its base. Mature plants will eventually produce many Pups and continue the life cycle. If left to grow together, the Pups will produce a beautiful Bulbosa cluster.
This plant will benefit from frequent misting, especially during the warmer months when it produces most of its annual growth. Most Tillandsia, including the Bulbosa, require bright, diffused sunlight and will benefit from misting several times per week, as well as a soaking bath every month. Click here for more information on Air Plant Care
Happy Air Planting –
Your Team @ Plantstr
]]>Tillandsias, commonly called Air Plants, belong to the Bromeliad family and are native to the West Indies, Mexico, and much of Central America, south to Colombia, eastern Brazil and Argentina. They are also grown and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical states, from California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
There are well over 550 different varieties of air plants. While each variety is similar in the way they grow and reproduce, the variety among species is phenomenal. When Tillandsia begin to flower, the uppermost leaves become bright red and most produce tubular flowers with bright violet petals that are absolutely gorgeous.
After flowering, most plants produce offsets, called Pups, around its base. Mature plants will eventually produce many Pups and therefore continue the life cycle. If left to grow together, the Pups grow into beautiful Air Plant clusters.
Most Tillandsias require bright, diffused sunlight and will benefit from misting several times per week, as well as a good soaking every other week. Placing the entire plant into a tub of water from several minutes to several hours to fully benefit from the hydration. Bottled water works well, as does tap water that has sat overnight so the chemicals have time to evaporate. Never use distilled water, it will kill your air plants. When you remove your plants from the soaking bowl, shake off any excess water and let the plant air dry before returning it to its home. Be careful to not soak the delicate flowers, as they will dissolve.
Most growers suggest fertilizing Tillandsias about once every month or two by mixing a bit of water-soluble fertilizer into its soaking water. Use a Bromeliad, or all-purpose fertilizer with a 10/10/10 or 20/20/20 ratio and diluted to about 1/4 the recommended strength.
With proper care and a friendly environment, will live and reproduce for many years.
Happy Air Planting!
Your friends at Plantstr
#airplant #airplants #tillandsia #tillandsias #airplantsforsale #tillandsiasforsale #airplantcare #airplantlove #airplantdesign #airplantterrarium #creativewithairplants #airplantwebshop #airplanttips #plantstr
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But if you’re looking to go above and beyond, there’s no shortage of inspiration sources. Zenaida Sengo, a San Francisco gardener and interior designer, has published a book on just that topic.
In Air Plants: The Curious World of Tillandsias, published in paperback Sept. 30, Sengo and photographer Caitlin Atkinson explore creative ways to make your home look its best using simple design projects. “Known for their spiky shape and extremely low-maintenance needs, they are growing increasingly popular for crafting, design, and décor,” they write.
The book includes six step-by-step projects, “including a wood mount and several unique terrariums.” The book is available on Amazon for $14.25.
]]>After flowering, most air plants start the reproduction cycle by producing “pups”, which typically start growing around the base of the air plant. When the "pups" grow to about 1/2 size of the parent, you have 2 cool options:
1) remove the "pup" and let your new plant grow, flower and reproduce again
2) leave the "pup" attached, and you'll soon have a beautiful cluster growing, which will continue to flower and produce new "pups"
It's very enjoyable to watch the growing cycle. Each specie of air plant reproduces somewhat differently. if you have kids, this is very educational and fun to watch. PLUS... you are purifying the air you breath. Air plants are one of the best natural air cleaners of all plant species.
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Some Air Plants not only are beautiful to look at, but also release an intoxicating fragrance when in bloom. The yellow flowers of the Tillandsia Crocta and the Tillandsia Duratii are two of our favorites.
The delicate yellow flowers of the Tillandsia Crocta have one of the sweetest fragrances in all the bromeliad world. And the grape-scented Tillandsia Duratii has pretty violet-colored flowers that emit an amazing Concord grape odor for up to a month.
There are only about 30 of the 500 varieties of Air Plants that are fragrant. If you would like to purchase one of these, please visit our Air Plant store to see our current inventory. http://www.plantstr.net/collections/air-plants
]]>The Tillandsia, more commonly referred to as Air Plants, are unique plants from the Bromeliad family. They are colorful, easy to care for, exotic and very affordable.
Plantstr has been selling Air Plants successfully for many years and they are becoming more popular every day. With Air Plants, the care is minimal, they don’t attract insects and they are perfect for small urban settings and apartments.
There are currently around 500 various types of Tillandsias, most of which are native to Central America, South America and Mexico. They range in size from a few inches to as large as 4 feet across.
Once Air Plants mature and flower, they produce babies, also know as pups, and can have as many as 12. Once a mother plant flowers, it will never flower again, slowly dying within a few years. During this time, the pups are getting all of the nutrients from the mother plant. Eventually, the pups will flower and the cycle will continue.
Another interesting feature about Air Plants is that they clean the air. In fact, a few years ago, there was a study that showed that the Tillandsias can clean the air and remove more airborne particles than any other plant on earth. This is also how they get their nourishment.
Tillandsias are also one of the most forgiving and easy to care for plants available, although the watering requirements can be a little tricky. The best option is to mist them once a week or you can run the plant under a faucet. If the plant starts to dry out, submerge it overnight to rehydrate it.
For more information on how to care for your Air Plants you can visit http://www.plantstr.net/pages/air-plant-care
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Our Spheres are hand cut from the roots of naturally water resistant woods like Teak, Cypress and Eucalyptus. Each sphere is a one-of-a-kind piece enhanced by the natural beauty of cracks, holes and crevices only Mother Nature can create.
We decorate each piece with a variety of air plants in various species and sizes, all tastefully fitted into the natural nooks and crannies. The final creation is a well-balanced, living piece of art that will compliment any decor.
To view the complete collection of our driftwood and wood spheres collections, please click here
]]>Come visit Plantstr this Sunday at the Fort Lauderdale Las Olas Farmers Market. We will have a large selection of Air Plants Terrariums, Cactus and Succulents for sale at great prices!
Sunday November 10th, 2013.
From 9am to 3pm.
We will have a large selection of Air Plants Terrariums, Cactus and Succulents for sale at great prices!
Sunday November 10th, 2013.
From 9am to 3pm.
Located at:
YOLO Plaza
333 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
]]>On Saturday November 2, 2013, Plantstr will be at the Pompano Beach Green Market from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The Pompano Beach Green Market is located on the southwest corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Cypress Road (just east of City Hall).
]]>On Saturday November 2, 2013, Plantstr will be at the Pompano Beach Green Market from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The Pompano Beach Green Market is located on the southwest corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Cypress Road (just east of City Hall).
The Pompano Beach Green Market is presented by the Pompano Beach Historical Society in partnership with the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). We are committed to providing the community with the best and freshest fruits and vegetables, juices, baked goods, seafood and other food items, as well as orchids, plants, and health-related products and services.
Hope to see you there!
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