Wild Air Plants (Tillandsias?)
 

My husband is working in South Florida at the moment and found some air plants (Tillandsias?) in a trash pile. It looks like the tree they were growing on was cut down and put out for pick up. Would it be ok for him to get these and bring them home? I don't normally agree with taking plants from the wild but these are going to be destroyed anyway. Also, would it be ok to put them in my greenhouse with my orchids? If so are there any precautions I would need to take before moving them in there so that I don't contaminate my greenhouse with anything they might have? I already have some Tillandsias growing with my orchids, but they were purchased.

I have collected tillandsias from downed branches. I typically submerged them in water overnight - any bugs tend to let go and float away, so they can be dumped.

I would have no qualms about taking them. If they are already in a trash pile and the tree they were growing on has been cut, then they are already doomed to die unless somebody rescues them.

As Ray says, I would take some precautions to get rid of creepy-crawlies before introducing them to your greenhouse.

Thanks for the replies. Once my husband gets home, I'll take pics and post to see if anyone knows which one they are.

Looks like there are at least 3 maybe 4 different kinds. If anyone can tell me what they are I would really appreciate it.

Plant Type 1

These look like round balls of Spanish moss. One looks like it has seed pods on it.

I could be wrong, I’ve had this in the past. Search Tillandsia recurvata, or Ball moss.

Plant Type 2

These look like they'll hold water in the crown, like a bromeliad. Is it ok to let water sit in the crowns? Though the plant is the third picture is pretty damaged it has a flower spike.

No picture

---------- Post added at 07:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

Oooh I see them. Maybe utriculata or fasciculata. Nice find!

Plant Type 3

Look like this one also has seed pods.

Plant Type 4 (maybe)

This could be the same as plant 2 just small, but it looks different.