Live Air Plants

[leni1]

I was wondering if anyone uses live air plants to decorate their vivs, they're very unusual and need minimal care and apparently crickets leave them alone
I just need to know if anyone has used them before and if they're safe to use in my lil boy's viv?

[sheslikeheroin]

by live air plant do you mean plants like bromeliads?

[Leigh]

The only problem is, skinks can do all sorts of make overs in the set ups they have, and air plants dont have roots (like normal plants) to anchor them down, If up outta the way they could be good decor, with no need to worry about humidity issues. Do you have any type in mind Tinsaladia(check spelling)is pretty with the deep blue/purple flower from the pink stems.

[Herptiles.net]

Tillandsia are members of the bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), and are epiphytic (live on another plant for physical support), terrestrial, or saxicolous (live on rocks) depending on the species. Most available commercially are the epiphytic variety, and are called "air plants" because they are supposed to live off of the moisture in the air. This is not exactly true.

While these plants do well in humid conditions, humidity only delays dehydration. They are incredibly hardy and can tolerate long periods of drought, but will not thrive. These plants need to have their leaves soak in water to absorb it-- most species have adapted to benefit from periodic heavy rainfall. But sitting in water constantly will cause the plant to rot, so they must not be too humid so that they can dry out. Other species in this genus have adapted to different conditions, but from my understanding, most of the air plants available are of the forest/rainforest varieties.

Check out the following link for in-depth Tillandsia care, I don't know how suitable they would be for a bluey habitat... they generally need a humid environment, and must be periodically soaked (2-3 times a week I think).

http://plants.web-indexes.com/airplants/airplants-care.html

[leni1]

Check out the following link for in-depth Tillandsia care, I don't know how suitable they would be for a bluey habitat... they generally need a humid environment, and must be periodically soaked (2-3 times a week I think).

http://plants.web-indexes.com/airplants/airplants-care.html

Thanks
I checked out the site and if I've read it right then as long as you're able to remove it to water it then it should be fine
They even say that they can be used in vivs, I'm still not sure though
They look really nice and I would rather use them to decorate the viv than plastic plants as I'd prefer it to look as natural as possible

[Leigh]

Tillandsia are members of the bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), and are epiphytic (live on another plant for physical support), terrestrial, or saxicolous (live on rocks) depending on the species. Most available commercially are the epiphytic variety, and are called "air plants" because they are supposed to live off of the moisture in the air. This is not exactly true.

While these plants do well in humid conditions, humidity only delays dehydration. They are incredibly hardy and can tolerate long periods of drought, but will not thrive. These plants need to have their leaves soak in water to absorb it-- most species have adapted to benefit from periodic heavy rainfall. But sitting in water constantly will cause the plant to rot, so they must not be too humid so that they can dry out. Other species in this genus have adapted to different conditions, but from my understanding, most of the air plants available are of the forest/rainforest varieties.

Check out the following link for in-depth Tillandsia care, I don't know how suitable they would be for a bluey habitat... they generally need a humid environment, and must be periodically soaked (2-3 times a week I think).

http://plants.web-indexes.com/airplants/airplants-care.html

In an ideal world yes, I have one that has lived in a pot on the window sill for three years now and it only gets watered (enough to puddle in the root base of the plant) once evrey one/three weeks. It has grown well and flowered. so I reckon as long as it isnt directly in the basking light it maybe ok, as for standing up to a skink attack

[leni1]

Thanks for the info guys
I might buy just one and see how Binx reacts to it, will let you know how it goes

[Tattoo]

Your skinker will probably just make it part of life's great excavation project and uproot it like they do everything else in their path. They sure do like to dig.

[leni1]

Your skinker will probably just make it part of life's great excavation project and uproot it like they do everything else in their path. They sure do like to dig.

Live air plants dont have roots They attatch themselves to rocks or bits of wood so hopefully Binx wont cause too much damage lol
I'll give it a go and let everyone know the results