For my Six on Saturday this week, I share my newly acquired passion for air plants and bromeliads.
I’ve wanted to expand our collection of bromeliads and air plants (tillandsias) for some time so last Sunday, we went to the Autumn Mediterranean Garden Fair in Lagoa. I love these plants, and so does Mr P. He had already bought me three beautiful plants earlier in the year when they were on sale in Lydls (a local supermarket).
Considering the numerous varieties of cacti, succulents, bromeliads and air plants for sale at the fair, I was quite restrained, much to Mr. Piglet’s relief.
Bromeliad Displays
While I love these plants, I know very little about them. Who knew they didn’t need soil, they have pups and once the mother plant flowers it dies. We watched an interesting talk by Jorge Freixal from https://www.bromeliasdobrejo.com/ which went a ways to explain some of their quirks. I really need to take some time out and research further.
Spoilt for choice I chose
Airplants
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After choosing three bromeliads and two air plants—the third I will have to order online, as Jorge had sold out—we moved on to another stall that sold cork plant displays.
Succulent Displays Using Cork Containers
Which would also offer a great base for airplants or Bromiads
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My Collection of Bromeliads for Six on Saturday
- Neoregelia
This one is inserted into wood. Who knew they did to need soil?
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Another two new plants. Mr. P will make a display.
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2. Guzmania
These are my existing Bromiads.
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3. Vriesea
When Mr. P bought this, the flower was red.
Unfortunately, within a couple of weeks, it turned brown, but at least the plant has produced several new pups (babies)
5. Airplant Display
This is my original display created from a sunbleached log.
6. Aechmea (I think)
I’ve grown these Bromiads for about 10 years. One of my neighbours gave them to me, and I had no idea what they were or how to care for them. I think they survived more by luck than judgement!
That’s my Six for this Saturday, folks! Now I’m off to check out some more Six on Saturday bloggers. Does anyone else collect bromeliads or air plants?
Reference:
Piglet in Portugal 
These plants are such interesting little dudes! And I love that you have a pool 😀
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Hi Lana … they are interesting little ‘dude’. Love that name. Pool is nice but a lot of work
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Glad you finally got yourself some airplants! They are very nice and your bromeliads are beautiful too!
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Hi capentalc, I am now hooked and already planning to add a couple more to my collection and Mr. P is keen to create a wall display.
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That’s wonderful! It’s hard to stop once you get started! Check out airplantsupplyco.com and look at pictures of people’s reviews. There were so many creative display ideas I’m sure you’ll love and be even more inspired.
– Lauren
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Hi Lauren, I’ll check them out, thank you 🙂
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Wow, brilliant! I will be very interested to see your displays evolve and the pups grow. The only one I’ve ever considered growing is Fascicularia bicolor which seems to cope outside here.
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https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/7145/fascicularia-bicolor/details
Fascicularia bicolor
Wow, that is a beauty AND it grows in full sun. I will have to see if Jorge sells them.
Laughing … I am also interested to see how the plants survive. Sometimes I kill my plants with love.
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Very interesting plants! We have one type I think, hanging in a tree.. never flowering, but it seems alive. You´ll have to help me make it happier when you come and visit us 🙂
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Hi Anna, I am still very much a Bromiliad virgin but if you send me a picture lets see if we can identify it.
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All beautiful, but I’m especially impressed with those succulents!
Great photos.
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Hi, agpipspearl, thanks for dropping by. I love succulents and the garden fair had so many to chose from I couldn’t resist buying a couple.
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Your air plants look lovely and healthy, Carole. Well done!
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Thanks, Terry. A new hobby off to a great start.
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I brought back some small pieces of Angel Hair – Tillandsia usneoides –
from Reunion Island. They are in the bathroom, and I will have to wait a little to have a length like yours…
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That’s a good idea. I never thought of putting a display in the bathroom!
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I quite like bromeliads and yours are in great condition. Not sure about air plants and no idea how to care for them. We meant to go to that show but it was a busy weekend here.
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Hi Jo, you just mist air plants. They are really easy to care for.
There did not seem to be as many stalls there as other years and when we went it was not as busy.
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Great photo!
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Thank you 🙂
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I’ve often been tempted to give air plants a go. They’re fascinating things.
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Hi Trowel. Yes, they are. As long as you remember to mist I think they are easy to grow.
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