What is this?

Hi,
Do you know what this is and how to care for it?
Thanks, I really enjoy reading this site.

They are Tillandsias. Which one I don't know. They will flower. Even though they are called Air Plants, THEY NEED WATER!!!!. I have seen many brown ones on refrigerators.,

Hap

Oh, thank you.
It did bloom a few months ago.
Now that I've trimmed the vines back so that it gets more sun,
it's doubled in size.
Hmm...good, another plant that doesn't need pampering.
I like that.

Just misting or ambient moisture (which we have in abundance in Florida) will do.
No pampering needed although if you spray it with some foliar feed it will bloom more profusely; There are many different kinds. The smallest one is 'Spanish Moss'

foliar feed? Is that a brand?
Okay, it shows...I'm a newbie here.

Foliar feeding is a good way to feed your plants: just spray with a solution of water and fertilizer. The fertilizer gets absorbed by the leaves (foliage).

Hello :)
I've been wondering about my "air plants" too- I've started misting some that I found growing wild in my yard, but I don't think I've ever seen mine bloom. Are all tillandsias supposed to bloom? Mine are quite small, but there's a whole colony growing on a branchy bush in the yard. They seem more prone to grow individually, though.
~Gina

Yes, Gina, they all bloom. Everything in the plant life blooms or has spoors, etc.

Hap

You're right Hap- I wasn't very clear about that. I've definitely seen my air plants "bloom" as in releasing their feathery seeds/spores into the air... but I meant "bloom" as in those gorgeous pics I've seen in the DG plant listings on Tillandsias. The blooms that look just like bromeliads' multi-hued inflorescens. My little air plants grow a little brown stem that has a couple little pods on them. That's just pretty disappointing.

~Gina

Gina, .....Hi neighbor!!!

They all bloom differently. The little "air plants" really do have a flower, you're just catching it too late. When they are brown, and releasing spores, the flower has long gone. If it's the one that I have in mind, the flowers are tiny, tiny and blue.

Come join our Galloping Gardeners....check out our thread on the SW Florida forum. We're a neat group. I'm from Sunrise, actually.

Nancy Lee

Hey Nancy,
Thanks for the info on the Tillandsias!
And I didn't know about the S Fla forum group; I'll check that out. :)
I'll be returning home from a trip to Jacksonville this week where a
very generous friend is lending me lots of cuttings!
~Gina

Good thing for friends. If you want more, just give a holler..I have tons.

Hap