I am hanging some air plants near a brightly lit window where they will not get direct light, but it gets plenty of bright indirect light for most of the day. I have had hanging planets before, but they were heavy enough that they didn't rotate constantly from air flow, and I would turn them periodically for even growth. These air plants, however, are extremely light and twist constantly. It's not a fast turning motion, but I'm not sure if it is detrimental for the plant at all to be constantly twisting, rather than sitting still.

double post

to ATP @jmkdml


Is the air flow from a heating/cooling system or from a window or fan?

Tillandsias do better when they are not in direct drafts from heating and a/c's. You may want to angle the vent away from them if that is the case.

http://learn2grow.com/gardenin...

This is what my daughter did with her airplants: She found an old picture frame and varathaned it then wound wire back and forth in a grid on tiny nails. She clipped her airplants to the wires with orchid butterfly clips. She squirts the plants with the sprayer on her kitchen sink (but sometimes she soaks the whole frame). She doesn't worry about the frame as she got it at the thrift store for $2.00.

You could also use a piece of chicken wire in the frame.

Daisy

@moonhowl No, it's not from an a/c or heater, just from a ceiling fan. I'm not really worried about the air flow, I suppose, since they do need well ventilated and breezy areas. I just was unsure if it would effect the plants light needs or anything along those lines.

@Daisyl That is a cute idea, but I already have a geometric shaped hanger that I really like. Plus, I already have repurposed window frames with art and prints in them in this room, so I don't need any more of that genre going on.

Then it is more ambient temperature air than a hot or cold draft. They should be fine, but just make sure they don't require a bit more moisture.

It should not bother their light requirements as they will probably get uniform light from turning.

If you consider how plants grow in nature, they generally attach themselves and grow in one position for their whole lives. Just my opinion but I think it's better for the plants to be stationary if you can manage it. If they grow towards the light, and you can't see the nice new growth that way, turn them 1/4 turn every month or two, maybe?

The direction your window faces will affect the angle of the light, too. Even if the light doesn't hit the plant directly, (that's good) for example if the window faces either south or north, then the light will move from one side of the window to the other (east to west) as the day progresses. An east or west facing window will have less range of angle.

Outdoor plants naturally get light from all directions, unless up against a wall or cliff. Indoor plants must be rotated periodically or they will become lop-sided. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with that, I let my plants do that on purpose for winter because I don't want them spending any energy reorienting leaves during that short time. When there is only light from 1 direction, unevenness can be avoided by rotating. Most people want symmetrical plants, but the choice is yours. Constant motion would eliminate the need to be concerned about rotating if you do want evenness.

Check out "string gardens."

@purpleinopp I had never heard of a string garden. That's amazingly beautiful! Thanks for opening that new world for me (not that I have room for any more plants. Lol)

Happy to enable, I mean share! :+) I'm hoping to make some string gardens this summer, but it's just a notion at this point. Should help with my desire to not be able to see the pots, for hanging plants.

When I ran out of room for more pots, I just started stuffing more plants into them, and using bigger pots.

If/when you get a chance to share a pic of your air plant, I know folks would love to see it. They're so popular lately!

purpleinopp said: If/when you get a chance to share a pic of your air plant, I know folks would love to see it. They're so popular lately!

It's my only air plant that's inside. It's a xerographica. I have 2 that stay outside with my bromiliads.

jmkdml. That's a good looking plant.

Please take a moment and go to your "Profile" and enter your location. That way, in future posts we'll understand your (outdoor) conditions better.

drdawg said: jmkdml. That's a good looking plant.

Please take a moment and go to your "Profile" and enter your location. That way, in future posts we'll understand your (outdoor) conditions better.

Thank you! I apologize, I haven't been on here enough to figure the site out yet, so I never added anything to my profile.

You are up to speed, James. Thanks for updating the information. I have fond memories of Corpus. Those memories date to the mid 50's.

It has grown and changed a lot, especially in the last few years. I still love it though. I'm originally from Northeastern Oklahoma near the Ozark Mountains. Vast differences in climate and culture.

I bet.