Ray San Fratello, right, accepts plants from Gwen Carter, CGC member.
For the month of September, Clermont Garden Club member, Gwen Carter, shared three (3) Tillandsia plants, aka “Air Plants” with Clermont City Hall.
Tillandsia is a genius of around 650 species of evergreen, perennial plants in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the forest, mountains and deserts of Northern Mexico and south-eastern United States, Mesoamerica and Caribbean to mid Argentina.
They are called “Air Plants” since they don’t require soil and take their nutrients from the air. However, they still need water, nutrients, and light to survive. Air Plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow in nature on another tree, hosts, or object.
Air Plants do best with a few hours of bright, indirect sun daily. Place within 1 to 3 feet of an east or west facing window, or within a foot or two of an artificial light source.
To water your air plants, soak them upside down in water for 20 minutes every two weeks or more if they are in dry areas. Most tap water is fine, but it depends on the quality of water in your community. Best water to use is rain water, aquarium water, or pond water because these are richer in nutrients. Dry the plants upside down.
Every month, from September through May, a Clermont Garden Club member loans a plant to Clermont City Hall to promote horticulture awareness and connect our community to Clermont Garden Club’s programs, civic activities, and community outreach.
Clermont Garden Club members meet every third Wednesday of the month (September through May), except scheduled field trips, Holiday Luncheon and End of the Year Luncheon, at the clubhouse located at 849 West Avenue, Clermont, Florida 34711. Meetings begin at 10:00 A.M. New members and guests are warmly welcome.
Clermont Garden Club is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization.
