Silver Beauty, The Fabulous Tillandsia xerographica

Have you ever had a beautiful flower that you wished would live forever? Take a close look at this Silver Beauty. What you are seeing is not a flower but the shape of this plant. The leaves open from the center then cascade down in delightful curling spirals. An incredible living plant that grows even larger and more beautiful for years to come. 

A perfect name for this fabulous plant is “Silver Beauty”. The Tillandsia xerographica is native to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The name is from Greek words meaning Dry Writing. What? I have turned this plant upside down and sideways, trying to see where this name could have possible come from. Do you see it? Growers call it the King of Tillys, but to me “Silver Beauty” fits perfectly.

A majestically slow growing plant with silvery gray leaves that are wide at the base, then taper to curly points. They can reach to over 3' in diameter and 3' in height in flower. I can hear you now, “I have no place in my house for a plant that big!” Don't worry, it takes many, many years to grow that big.

If you have read that this plant takes special watering care, well it really doesn't. It is the basic care that works for all Tillandsias. Soak your Silver Beauty for 15-30minutes once every 5-7 days. Rain, pond or fish tank water is best, but if these are not available use a bottle of spring water. No chlorine or distilled water. Tip it upside down, give a shake to get water out of center and let dry bottom up. This will insure that no water is trapped, which causes rot. Misting every day or two in between soaking especially when humidity is low is very helpful.

Give it good light, but no direct sun. Fertilize with a bromeliad fertilizer at half strength once a month. Fertilizer is not necessary to keep your Silver Beauty alive, but if you want it to grow and bloom......

And remember, the bloom will last for months and then it will give you babies!

After reading all this, you are saying, “I gotta have one”. You will see them available on my site Creation-in-Clay, and if you leave a comment you will receive 10% off!

Have a great weekend!

Barb

Creation-in-Clay

As Promised - More about the Tillandsia caput-medusae

By far, the air plant caput-medusae is the most popular species at the Tulsa Flea Market. Fascinating plant with its deep green, almost tubular shaped leaves that swirl and curl in all directions. It is aptly named for the Gorgon Medusa. You know- the greek lady with the snakes for hair?

caput-medusae bloom

Flowering: Is in the spring and summer.Emerging from the colorful bracts are long-tubular lavender flowers. These are good for attracting hummingbirds. The plant lives for several years after flowering and producing pups. If you leave the pups on the mother plant, it will form a cluster like in the picture above.

                                                                                                      
Habbitat: In the wild the caput-medusae likes shady and humid conditions.

Watering: Simple care must be taken when watering. Water should not be allowed to collect in the bulb area which will cause it to rot. Water this plant every 4-5 days, by soaking in a glass of water. Fish tank water, pond water, and of course rain water is the best to use. If using fish or pond water no fertilizer is ever needed. Try not to use tap water because of the chlorine . Bottled water is ok as long as it is not distilled. Most important to drain water from bulb area, then lay on  its side until dry. It needs to be dry in less than 4 hours.

Display: Bright light no sun. Hanging upside down is not only good for the plant but a great conversation piece!

Fertilize:  Tillandsias can survive without fertilizer, though a plant benefiting from a fertilizer regimen will grow, bloom, and produce offsets (pups) more vigorously.  A Bromeliad or Tillandsia fertilizer should be used 1-2 times per month at ¼ strength.

Medusa's hair of caput-medusae

Questions about this plant? Leave a comment or email me at: barb1839@ymail.com 

As promised the link to the site with  listed under the "Great Links" on your left.

Have a great day,
Barb

P.S. Follow me on this blog for all kinds of hodgepodge!

Setting up at the Tulsa Flea

Yesterday I set up a booth at the Tulsa Flea. Actually the proper name is the Tulsa Flea Market. Years ago my husband and I set up there every Saturday for about 2 years and always said we are "going to the Tulsa Flea".

The Tulsa Flea is an upscale flea market. Located in the largest (air conditioned) building on the Tulsa Fairgrounds, you will find lots of quality antiques, collectables and of course crafts. If you live in the Tulsa area, you owe it to yourself to check it out. Owned by the same family for the last 40 years. Open only on Saturdays. You will need to check the schedule,Tulsa Flea Market ,  since a few times a year the fair board rents out the building for other events.

Anyway, enough about that. This is my third time and it is fun to meet interesting people and make friends with those that come every week. I have several who have bought Tillandsias (air plants) and come to tell me how their air plants are doing. It is great when they call them my babies or my new pet.

It was a slow day, probably because it was a holiday weekend. I am excited about meeting a wedding planner that thinks the Tillandsias will be a great gift for the bride and groom to give to guests!

Well, I need to start inventorying and get a balance of plants after yesterday. It is fun ordering and getting in a new shipment of airplants. The anticipation of what is in that box is like opening presents!

After that, I will write the post I promised on the care and other tidbits of information on the Tillandsia caput-medusa.

Barb
Creation-in-Clay
Barb's Creations

P.S. Would love for you to be one of my followers and just as the name Artistic Hodge implies, no telling what you will find!

A Special Post to My Family and Yours

The fourth is about over. I am hearing the fireworks going off all over the city. It was a beautiful day, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80's.

Then, the clouds rolled in and then rain came and stopped. Only to have large hail rain down for over 20 minutes. I could see it bouncing off of my car and hear it hitting the roof sounding like it was going to come right through the roof. My dogs were scared barking and pacing the room.

It stopped just as suddenly as it started. I went out and looked at my car. Should not have done that.  Yes, it is pretty bad, and the depression set in.

After crying in my soup (old expression) I thought about how it is just a car. It is not up side down or in a tree. My home is still whole with a roof.

My Grandson, Lt. Tyler Oliphant and many others are off risking their lives in a Afghanistan  Tyler got married one year ago. His wife is also serving and is in the Army stationed at Fort Campbell. As a married couple, they have had about a month living together. Oh, It is also his birthday.

And, I was crying over a few dents in a car!!!!

Happy Birthday Tyler. Happy Anniversary Tyler and Cathy. And Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary to all the many that are in far away lands and not celebrating with family.

And a very Happy Fourth of July to all. May we all remember to celebrate our independence each and every day.
Barb

Grogon Medusa has New Hair - Tillandsia caput-medusae

Once Upon a Very Long Time Ago - The Gorgon Medusa was a monstrous, yet mortal creature that had the power to turn anyone who looked at her into stone.

Medusa and two sisters of hers, Stheno and Evryale, were Gorgons, with frightful eyes, brass hands and living snakes on their head instead of hair. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, however she was more powerful than her sisters.

caput-medusae

caput-medusae in bloom

A very popular Tillandsia is the caput-medusae. Its leaves curl in all directions and look like snakes swirling about in the air. It is an unusual and very unique. Given good light and water it will bloom and the leaves get a reddest blush when blooming. After the bloom comes its pups! And then there were two!
Of couse, after reading about the Gorgon Medusae, the ideas for clay containers just started crowding my brain! And here is the final results. You can find them onCreation-in-Clay.

Gorgon Medusa with caput-medusae

Just for Fun - shown in negative