Tillandsia plants on electric cables

Introduction

**Tillandsia**s are often associated with tree branches, where they grow as epiphytes in environments of varying degrees of humidity. Yet, in the wild, these remarkable plants are capable of colonising far more unexpected substrates. Some species are able to establish themselves and survive in highly exposed environments, offering a fascinating insight into their adaptability.

Tillandsias capable of colonising unexpected surfaces

In the wild, Tillandsias do not just cling to tree branches, but also to unusual places such as power lines (as the seeds, carried by the wind, are likely to become entangled in anything in their path). In Panama, German scientists studied the growth of the species Tillandsia flexuosa on this unorthodox substrate, and compared it with the development of specimens of the same species living in the forest, where they benefit from more shade and higher humidity. Power lines are situated in full sun, with drier air. Despite this, of the 1,287 specimens observed over the course of a year, only 175 died… 129 of which were due to falling off! The remaining 46 did indeed dry out, but one might have expected far more under such conditions!

Growth, mortality and the role of nutrients depending on the environment

The hypothesis favoured by scientists is that, in urban environments, Tillandsia plants have access to nutrients from dust and from what is considered to be pollution. However, this is not enough, as their growth has been reported to be much faster in the forest: around six times more plant mass gained each day! But ultimately, the mortality rate is no lower in the forest. Depending on the location, nutrients are more or less abundant; this leads to a deficiency that eventually kills the less well-off plants.

As you’ll have gathered, one of the secrets to keeping Tillandsiasvigorous in the long term is daily watering and occasional fertilisation (twice a month)!

Conclusion

These observations show just how hardy and adaptable Tillandsias are, capable of surviving in a wide range of conditions. They also highlight the importance of water and nutrients for their long-term development. When growing Tillandsia, to ensure they remain vigorous and long-lasting, daily watering combined with occasional fertilisation remains one of the key secrets to their success.