Spanish moss - Tillandsia usneoides BLOOMS!!!

[samarak]

Really cute! I'll have to check ours.

We're way too far north (NW Arkansas, US) for it to survive outdoors. I've wondered whether, like some other plants, provenance matters? If I collected some from southern Arkansas, where it definitely freezes regularly, would it be hardier than that from farther south?

Steve

[backyarder1]

I live in Florida and the Spanish moss does not seem to be effected by the cold or lack of rain. It is all over the place here.

[Subrosa]

I've heard that in FL Spanish Moss tends to host chiggers. Any confirmation?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

I've heard that in FL Spanish Moss tends to host chiggers. Any confirmation?

Have not seen any, thanks God! But it is for sure used widely by all orchid growers here!

[backyarder1]

I just went to an orchid demo a few weeks ago. The guy giving the talk told me to never use Spanish moss that isn't still in the tree. In other words, once it lands on the ground, it is prone to critters getting in it. I thought he said mites but he might have said chiggers. I know with some things, if you freeze it you can kill critters. So could be if you put Spanish moss in Ziploc bags and stuck it in the freezer for awhile, it might kills bugs. I'm not sure though.

[Subrosa]

Thanks guys! Chiggers are a type of mite, so I guess it's confirmation. LISTEN to the demo guy! Chiggers are the itchiest thing I've ever experienced!

[backyarder1]

I recently potted up a bunch of cuttings from a Jewel Orchid plant. I had Spanish Moss in the bottom of the pots. Well, the cuttings all started doing really badly. I just poured out the contents of all of the pots and just stuck the cuttings in water for awhile. BUT some of the pieces of Spanish Moss had something that looked somewhat like Mold on it. I'm not sure if that is what hurt the orchids or if I had them too wet or what.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by backyarder1

I just went to an orchid demo a few weeks ago. The guy giving the talk told me to never use Spanish moss that isn't still in the tree. In other words, once it lands on the ground, it is prone to critters getting in it. I thought he said mites but he might have said chiggers. I know with some things, if you freeze it you can kill critters. So could be if you put Spanish moss in Ziploc bags and stuck it in the freezer for awhile, it might kills bugs. I'm not sure though.

Most of mine is from the trees, it is hanging all over here in Florida, also, I do NUKE it in microwave for few sec, I am pretty sure if anything would live in it, will die in microwave. It works for me for sure! I just came back from the balcony, and II am just surprised that nearly all my Spanish moss is blooming now, I have never seen this in prior years, not sure why:-)))

[emg53]

Hi, I am new to this board and have just started growing orchids. I live in central Florida and have a lot of Spanish Moss around. What exactly do orchid growers do with it?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by emg53

Hi, I am new to this board and have just started growing orchids. I live in central Florida and have a lot of Spanish Moss around. What exactly do orchid growers do with it?

Hi and welcome. It is great for Vandacious, to hang it around the roots, keep the moisture better, I do use it also for all my leafless orchids, etc! You can find many great uses for Spanish moss!