Native Plants of Central Florida By Lynn Davis What can you find attached to live oaks, bottle bushes and other vegetation in our community? The air plant known as Tillandsia recurvata. This is an epiphytic plant (grows on other host plants) and is free if you are lucky to host a tree it strives in! There are over 600 varieties of Tillandsias, but the recurvata is most commonly seen here. It is often called the ball moss, yet it isn’t a moss at all. It actually is related to bromeliads and pineapples. Tillandsia’s get all their nutrients from the atmosphere. It requires 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily and a stable surface. People have the misconception that air plants may harm trees. This is untrue. The plant often fixes nitrogen problems. It converts the nitrogen from the atmosphere into the form used by plants. Why have air plants become popular? The easy care and unique displays have made air plants a good houseplant. They require indirect light and having too much natural light could burn the plant. Like other plants, it needs water. Give it a good soak once a week by submerging it in water for 30 minutes. You might want to use bottled water or leave faucet water to sit long enough to dissipate the chlorine. Just mist the plant between waterings. The best environment to place these plants in are areas which receive a great amount of humidity such as lanais and bathrooms. Just remember the plants don’t do well if constantly wet. Another reason for their popularity is their unique displays. You can attach to cork, place in a terrarium, hang on string and countless other creative ways. Don’t be surprised if left in bushes or trees to find they’ve bloomed in late winter or possibly midsummer. Camp Lake Ashton will give those interested a chance to try out these plants in their own homes. 14 LARGEST SELECTION OF INDOOR & OUTDOOR FANS ANYWHERE! UP TO 40% OFF Cleaning! $ Tuscan LED Light Remote WINTER HAVEN’S #1 QU 24999 $99 DISCONTINUED + DISPLAS! Design Y an Parts & Services Aailable In-Store Warranes Winer Haen 1104A Cypr d SE (Lampligh a) wancityom (863) 299-2777
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