My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Tillandsia

Plants with thin needle-like leaves (trichomes) grow in moist environments with a higher rainfall and the thick more fleshy leaves indicate plants that can withstand drought. All air plants are epiphytes and will absorb moisture and nutrients from their environment. Some of the popular ones are Tillandsia ionantha, Tillandsia xerographica, Tillandsia caput-medusae (used in the design pictured), and Tillandsia circinnata. Spanish moss is also referred to as Tillandsia. See Tillandsia Usneoides

Succulent and Air Plant Boutonniere design for my video:Getting Creative with Boutstix Magnet Stix: Succulent and Air Plant Boutonniere

Common name

Air plants

Origin

Central to South America, Mexico, North America and Southern United States of America

Varieties

There are about 540 species that belong to the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae)

Colors

Light hairy green but can change colour when flowering

Vase life

Will continue to grow and produce pups if used as a plant and the leaves will last as long as succulents if separated in a design

Scent

Uses

Popular as terrarium designs and also dramatic contemporary bridal work. Glue or wire the plant directly into the design either as a leaf, plant or group them to create greater visual value

Conditioning

Remove the plants from the design and soak for a few hours 2 times a week. Let the water drain away before designing. You can also mount the plant onto something that can be submerged in water so that you do not need to remove it when hydrating. Do not design in water or a water retaining medium such as moss.

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Related Designs
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A floral cotton candy cane
Cover the ends of the individual air plant leaves with cotton before adding it to the design
14 December 2016
Cover the ends of the individual air plant leaves with cotton before adding it to the design

Pull leaves the Tillandsia plant to add into a design
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"I found it this way" Floral art demonstration at the Capilano Flower Arranging Club

Flowery nest desmonstration
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This was the first design I did in my "I found it this way" floral art demonstration
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Weave a wreath to display air plants on
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Hanging Tillandsia

There are many ways to hang your air plants in a design. In this Tutorial I explore three
Once Upon A Time
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Once Upon A Time

Stack and glue a Grass Pyramid Armature
Us two
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Wedge a twig into a container to grow your air plants on
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Designing with Tillandsia

Air plants need special design consederations
Taking care of Tillandsia
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Taking care of Tillandsia

Conditioning and growing air plants
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Design Inspiration Video: Take a few twigs, snippets of air plants and succulents and combine both traditional wire and tape techniques with more contemporary methods to embed a Boutstix Magnet Stix right into the foundation of the design for a strong and secure way to attach corsages and boutonnieres.