Lin, that looks very nice, I wish I was more creative, but you're giving me ideas.

Elaine you sure scored at Tropiflora's blow out sale. I sure wish I went now, maybe I'll make the Spring show.

The next event at Tropiflora is the Fall Festival, Sherri. Usually the first weekend in October.

It's been raining since we got home from our errands this morning, so I haven't done any work on my Tilly wreath, but I know what I want to do anyway.

Lin - I went over to the Thrift Store on Saturday and got one of the odd wreath stands. Several people were looking at them and had no idea what they were. I grabbed one and told them what I was going to use it for, so another person grabbed one, too, to try a similar idea. Check out was interesting because all those in line were asking what they were since two of us were buying them. I think there was only 1 left afterwards. I bought a couple more items as well, all for gardening! What fun! I had not been in that thrift store ever and was pretty surprised at all they sold. I need to hit other thrift stores near the beach area. I have heard lots of very expensive items come in there from the wealthy. I just have to locate where they are at.

Here is my completed wreath. There are 13 plants in it, 2 of which are small starter orchids. I used Spanish Moss as I thought it would look better. What do you think?

Labeled wreath:


w/o labels:

Oh yeah .... here is how I water the plants. I dunk them in a small tub of water and let soak for a few hours. They dry out pretty quickly in the Spanish Moss. I have it sitting on my porch table and it gets filtered (my screen porch) sunlight in the morning:

I like what you have done, Becky. Where do you find "brown" Spanish moss? Mine is either living, and light gray in color or, if winter-killed, it is still grey/black, but just fine, tough filaments. The dead stuff is really good for nothing, since it is so wiry and wouldn't hold a lick of moisture.

It turns brown when wet. That photos was taken after I removed it from the water dunk.

Becky - I love what you did with that Did you have to secure the air plants, or are they just sitting in the Spanish moss? I'm going to have to find something like your and Lin's wreath stands!

Most are just stuck into the moss, but some I did secure (like the orchids). If the plant is big enough, the stem is easy to shove into the moss. The large Tricolor in the middle is getting ready to bloom.

I think it goes brown and dies without drying out if you seal it in a plastic bag for a while, Ken.

Really pretty, Becky and all those plants you've put on there need the same light and same care so they should be really happy. One thing, though - I've found that the Tillies really like rain water rather than chlorinated water. They really don't like my well water at all either, (high pH and full of minerals, ick). I keep a sprayer full of rain water around to spray them with.

Oh Becky ... that is really beautiful!

I prefer the Spanish Moss too and that would have been my choice but even with a yard full of oak trees I haven't seen any moss. We had tree people here four days last week, trimming and thinning the tree canopies so if there was any moss around, they must have hauled it away with all the oak and pine branches! I was hoping for some oak logs for firewood too but they didn't leave a thing! I always like using spanish moss in arrangements, it's a much more natural and appealing look in my opinion.

My sister and her husband went to that thrift store this morning and she got a little metal table for her porch that someone had covered the top with pennies and then put a clear coat over it. I haven't seen it yet but it sounds like something I'd put in my garden. I told her that I like old metal stuff and she said on her volunteer days she will keep a watch out for stuff like that.

Thanks, Elaine. I knew that when my Spanish moss suffered winter-kill, it never turned brown, and certainly nothing like the color or sphagnum moss.

Here are some more views of my favorite new baby - Tillandsia xerographica. It is very, very curly!

That plant is so super cool and I want one. This from the person who gave away 50 plants last Friday. I am trying so hard to limit the numbers of plants but I keep seeing such great stuff.

You are so right. The xerographica is way more curled than the "Giant Airplant" of FL.

Thanks everyone! And THANK YOU, Lin, for the heads up on that wreath holder! What a great find for $3. They looked like they were brand new and never used. I had been trying to figure out a holder for all my tillies. I had purchased the hanging wood awhile back, but the holes in it were just too small, so I added baby orchids to it instead. So glad to have found this wreath holder. I know I am going to regret not having bought the last one left at the thrift store!

Lin - I BOUGHT my Spanish Moss from Home Depot. No moss around here growing on trees either.

Elaine - That is an excellent idea. Unfortunately, I have no more rain water collected in my buckets. All my plants prefer the rain water, so I use it up pretty quickly. I do water with well water, too. Wished I had Spring Water here. I guess I need either more buckets or bigger buckets to collect rain water.

Elaine - Love that Tillandsia xerographica. The only problem I would have with that cultivar is how to display it. Are you going to leave it in the pot?

Becky, why don't you have gobs of Spanish moss growing on trees in your area? I would think that Spanish moss would flourish in your zone.

Not anywhere near me that I can reach. Most grow along the river in huge Oak trees. Can't reach that high to grab any. So waste money on the moss to buy it .... ironic, isn't it?!!!

That Tillandsia is just sitting in the pot with no soil or medium. It has no roots whatsoever, so I just happened to have that empty pot - a holey one that I had drilled for orchids - and a hanger that was just asking to hold that plant.

Alice, if you want to collect easy low-maintenance plants I don't see how you could go wrong with Tillies and Broms. Just stick 'em anywhere they will get a little rain and some shade. I'm heading out of town next weekend for a week, leaving DH to take care of the home front so having to place all the plants where they won't need his attention. The Tillies are easy. Orchids are taken care of, now to think about where to park all the begonias etc. so they will still be alive when I get back.

If you want live Spanish moss, Becky, visit those areas after a storm with high winds, areas that are nearby that have those big ole live oaks that are loaded. The ground should be covered with live moss. I have to grow my moss "on purpose" since generally speaking, you don't find it this far north. After winds, there are always numerous pieces of moss in the yard. I would be more than happy to send you all you would want, but you can probably purchase it for not more than the shipping.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw it in bags for sale at Lowe's yesterday. I'm sure Becky can find some near her somewhere for free. Just look for live oaks with it hanging on them, near where you live. Then go for a walk after it's been windy or stormy and pick it up - be sure to take a bag though because chiggers can be on it, and they have the worst itchy bite.