Spanish moss?? - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 12:33 AM

Hi,
I have been browsing though pictures of greenhouses looking for ideas for my new gh. In some of the pictures, I noticed what looked like Spanish moss...either hanging over plants or hanging by itself. I'm only curious if the moss serves a purpose or is it for aesthetics only.
I would appreciate knowing your thoughts,
Vicki

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi,
I have been browsing though pictures of greenhouses looking for ideas for my new gh. In some of the pictures, I noticed what looked like Spanish moss...either hanging over plants or hanging by itself. I'm only curious if the moss serves a purpose or is it for aesthetics only.
I would appreciate knowing your thoughts,
Vicki

Spanish moss is actually not a true moss. It's a bromeliad (Tillandsia usneoides).

It's got little yellow-green flowers.

Sorry, couldn't help myself...

isurus79 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 04:30 AM

Its also really good for keeping a microclimate of humid air and shade underneath it. Great for mounted plants and their roots.

King,
I didn't know the stuff had flowers either. I'll have to pay better attention! Do you know when it blooms?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 12:34 PM

No, I don't know when it blooms. I personally don't grow it. But I'm very well aware of what they are, (I was made aware of this early on in my bromeliad hobby years). There are a few pics of the flowers on the web. You can do a google image search.

Speaking of bloom seasons...it's hard to find this information for bromeliads anywhere (at least I had a hard time when I looked). I'm just happy, I finally understand how to grow these plants properly. Actually, I'm quite pleased by how easy they are to keep alive with so little care or water!

Ross · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 02:44 PM

I have some growing in my tank. It is extremely slow growing and I think people just have it around for the aesthetics (that's my reason). It requires high humidity if it is to grow at all.

Most bromeliads (at least North American ones) are late spring bloomers, timing the bloom to the beginning of the normal rainy season.

isurus79 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I have some growing in my tank. It is extremely slow growing and I think people just have it around for the aesthetics (that's my reason). It requires high humidity if it is to grow at all.

Most bromeliads (at least North American ones) are late spring bloomers, timing the bloom to the beginning of the normal rainy season.

Thanks! Ill keep an eye out this spring.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Most bromeliads (at least North American ones) are late spring bloomers, timing the bloom to the beginning of the normal rainy season.

Thank you.

VickiC · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 01:33 AM

Hi King,
Boy, do I feel stupid....but don't feel bad because you taught me something. As you can see, I live in Alabama (north central). What I called Spanish moss is hanging in many trees far down in south Alabama. I've always heard it called Spanish moss, so thanks for clueing me in as to what it really is (if it's the same as what you mentioned, that is). Anyway, as I said, I was searching Yahoo last night trying to find greenhouses that maybe I could get some ideas from. I ran across a forum (that I'm not a member of) and I was able to check out a few. I looked again tonight so that I could send 3 of the pics to you that I was referring to (just for the heck of it).

Thanks for your help. I'll view what people call Spanish moss in a whole different light now.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Thank you.