Tillandsia caput medusae and t. ionantha. There is gloomy winter weather in my area, so I mist my plants once per 4-7 days while holding them upside down, so no water gets into sensitive centers. If you give them nice sunny spot on windowsill, they might be misted more frequently. Just be sure they get dry fast enough (within few hours) after watering.

Thanks Raxidor for the I.d. and tips. The window they're in front of faces south. It's been gloomy and cold here. Both plants are sideways so hopefully the water doesn't collect in the crowns. My windowsill gets pretty chilly since the windows aren't insulated very we'll, they're only a few inches away from it. Should I use purified water to most and soak them in? I found a pup on the end of the ionantha.

Here they are. It's not a pretty setup but hopefully I'll add more one day to cover the chain.

Best for them is rainwater. Or any water that isn't too hard, so purified should work too. And I wouldn't soak whole plants over winter, surface misting is enough for them.

OK I'll get some purified water so I can mist them. I'll also avoid soaking them this winter.

Filtered water is okay, and if you have a fresh-water aquarium, you can use water from that [it comes with a light dose of fish and snail poop fertilizer mixed in naturally :)]. If you have access only to tap water, let it sit out for at least 24 hours so some of the chlorine (if your water provider uses it) can evaporate out. Your plants may also get some humidity from your use of the kitchen sink. If cold from the window worries you, pulling the plants back and maybe even placing them temporarily under a light (fluorescent, regular, any light) shouldn't hurt them (better than them freezing). Keep us informed as you acquire more of these fun plants!

Thanks Debby for the tips. I wish I still had a freshwater aquarium because my plants loved the fish and turtle poop lol. The purified water will probably get expensive so I'll probably leave some tap water out for 24 hours. I have the chain a few inches away from the kitchen light but not near the light bulb. I saw another variety at Lowe's that I'll probably get tomorrow. The leaves remind me of pine needles. I'll keep everyone posted on their progress and I really appreciate the advice I've received.

Here's my newest one. Does anyone know its identity?

T. juncifolia.

Thanks raxidor. I'm going to glue it to a cholla log I got several years ago. I just have to find my got glue gun.

Hot glue? That can damage your plant. I think normal strong glue is better.

So the regular glue would work?

I got some liquid nails today. Hopefully I didn't put too much on the juncifolia? I'll hang the cholla log vertically so that water doesn't collect in the crown.

You are supposed to use E6000 glue, but I have found that over time, they will fall off from this glue, and I only use fishing wire or aluminum wire for mounting.

I have never soaked any of mine, but then I do not have any indoors, and air may be dryer inside. None of mine have suffered from having water collect in their crowns, and I spray them with a hose from time to time. I do get a fair amount of dew in the mornings from time to time, and that helps, but I don't get that much rain, and so they do need watering. I generally use the mist setting on the garden hose.

Hi Lars, thanks for the link for E6000. I had read about Liquid Nails and since it's available at the hardware stores, I decided to try it out. I just want it as temporary fix until the tillandsia can anchor itself with roots. I'll be placing mine outside in Spring and I'll definitely have to pay close attention to them in Summer since it's hot and dry here (temperatures 100 degrees or more in July in August) I'll probably have to mist them twice a day to keep them hydrated or I may just bring them indoors during the hottest months?

I'll remember to get some if I get more tillandsias.

"If"???????

I'd love to grow more tillandsias one day.

blackwillow, I hope you can find Tillandsia lovers nearby who will be happy to give you some more tillandsias to increase your crop! If you were near me, I could give you some. Also, common Tillandsias are rather inexpensive from online growers. I've often seen some common ionanthas going for for $1 or $2 each, or 5 or more for $10. Other plants that grow and multiply relatively quickly can also be had for a low price. Sometimes the only expensive part is the postage, but even then some sellers have a flat rate regardless of how much one buys, probably because the plants are usually small and so light weight and the Post Office has a good deal on Priority Mail (which I find goes quickly from, say, Kentucky to up to New Mexico -- the two-day rate is fast!).

Thanks Debby! I've only seen them at Lowe's but there were only three types. Home depot used to sell them around this time but I checked two different stores and couldn't find any. I may just look for reputable sellers to see what deals they have. I'd love to find ones that multiply rapidly. I'll keep everyone posted if I find some. I know the last thing I need is another plant obsession.

Here are my two newest ones, tenuifolia Emerald Forest, and abdita.