Spanish moss - Tillandsia usneoides BLOOMS!!!

[isurus79]

This is an interesting thread as I've just found that the moss I collected a few months ago is also blooming! Like most people, I had no idea this stuff blooms.

And for those that are interested, Spanish Moss seems to grow as far north in central Texas as south Austin and becomes more numerous around San Marcos. We are zone 8b and get plenty of hard freezes and ice storms during winter, so this species is VERY hardy. Its not common around here, but I'm sure if that is due to the dry air we have (often punctuated by very humid air from the Gulf) or because of the cold temps.

[Optimist]

Be wary of self collected wild growing spanish moss as it harbours red spider mites, aka "chiggers." I've read articles saying they caused an intensely itchy bite. And others saying they did not bite at all. Nevertheless, they love the same warm damp environment as orchids, and could possibly infect an entire greenhouse. I've read they are hard to get rid of.

I really love the tillandsias, but I only have a few. I keep misplacing them.

[RJSquirrel]

I treat my wild collected spanish moss in consan triple action 20 which is physan and then slam dunk it in a 1 tbsp per gallon mix of amdro fire ant killer. Ive seen nothing survive yet. I have it growing in my greenhouse and blooming too..got to keep it moist and keep the die back from building up strangling the fresh moss..

Also added that wild collecting doesnt mean going into the parks or wildlife refuges/habitats to get it. You will soon find out if you pull this stuff from the trees or even collect it off the ground it is against the law and you can be given a ticket and your moss confiscated. If they catch you pulling it out of the trees its called destruction of state property. They gettng stikky bout that stuff these days.

I string it up over some of the rails where they can get lots and lots of fresh air and moisture.

[NYCorchidman]

wow~ I thought these were dried up dead stuff.
Cool!!!

[RJSquirrel]

very much alive..the stuff you get at hobby lobby marked 'for decorative purposes only..exactly what is and thats dead stuff in a bag

you can buy a box of live spanish moss from on of the mossmen on line. about 50 bucks shipped get ya 10 lb box of fresh pulled moss from southern georgia forests.

its one them dirty riches jobs you see on TV ya know ...got moss?

[Tindomul]

Would love to see that!

[kg5]

Yea! They flower for Christmas here. Nice!