We were riding through the jungle primeval recently ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) on the Florida coast and I thought it a good opportunity to grab some Spanish Moss(Tillandsia usneoides). ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) I wanted to see if I could keep it alive under less than ideal conditions. I was at the right height to reach up and grab anything hanging 9 feet or less off the ground. ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) I began hunting ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) and it was not long before both I and my riding companion spied the same choice moss. Spanish Moss(right side of picture) ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) A little tugging and I got my friend interested in another green morsel. ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) I grabbed a handful of the moss while the horse grabbed whatever interested him. Both of us were happy. Joyce was getting ahead of us and we did not want to have her get lost as more jungle awaited us. ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) The journey home had the moss in my backpack, as I was not sure how cold it would get in the baggage section. At home I looked for hitch hikers, there were none…..Let me clarify that……none visible with the naked eye. A good washing probably sent any unfriendly creatures to Duck Island….our local recycling facility for the treatment of unwanted waste. Being an epiphyte I figured the moss might like similar company. With no live oaks or cyprus trees(their usual haunt in Florida) in our house so I settled on the the Schlumbergera truncata and Rhipsalidopsis gaetneri as host plants. Epiphytes seem to like each other. ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) Has any body tried to grow Spanish moss as a houseplant? If not, we are about to find out how it will enjoy being a unwilling snowbird in reverse. Jerry
The few anecdotes I've read were in regard to humidity. Good luck! Love your pics! Where in FL did you go?
Yes Jerry, in the greenhouse. You should keep a saucer under it with H2O in it and spray it often. It can have the little spiders in it but I flushed mine. They probably went down the drain. I did that because I was warned about the bugs when I got the moss.
Our Florida jaunt had us at Cocoa Beach and Myrtle Island. Spraying is an option. The other epiphytes might appreciate a well aimed spritz of water. I suppose I could use the plant bottom as a humidifier. Might have to change the configurations to accommodate more water. The moss and I Thank you. Jerry Hey moss!! More water coming!!
Sometimes in the Summer, I put a plastic tent around them to hold the moisture in. You might have to do that from time to time in the house.
Jerry, you were so close to Apopka!! Did you drive over there? Forgot to say before, although there are so many fewer anecdotes/info sources for growing Spanish moss outside of its' natural range, any info about air plants (Tillandsias, like Spanish moss) should be in the right realm.
We did not go further North than South Orlando. I have the Spanish moss in five locations throughout the house. My first experiment with it will take a piece of it and suspend it over a bowl of water under a floresent lamp. I am presently reviewing spectrum profiles of CFL's. Jerry
So... how goes the tale of the moss? Edited to add: Since I asked, found some of this that I could reach. Put most of it up in our trees, but also put a little chunk in the crook of a potted Dracaena tree. Now it really looks cute, IMVHO.
