DBG-Forum

I often lose seedlings or don't get germination due to the cork pieces drying out too soon. I thought that by hanging them laterally instead of vertically I could retain moisture longer from the mister bottle I use since the water won't run off. No standing water in the nooks and crannies since they're barely wetted. What do you think? Am I on to something or is this practice been used before?

Sometimes I think about it. Apart from the cork is really waterproof (more than the trees where tillandsias live), in the nature many tillandsias either grow in groups (it's easy to find some groups of different tillandsias and other epiphytic species grow together) or grow on a surface more or less parallel to the soil (with a slight inclination), or both, probably to keep dampness.

Technically supporting the corks hung on that way (laterally) outside is difficult, specially with the heavy plants.

I think that a small quantity of moss at the base might be good too.

I wonder if for the xerophytic species would be good to accumulate more dampness in the base.

Saludos (Greetings)

Alfredo

Hi gonzer,

did you ever try sponges ?
Scotch-Brite work perfect.
I do not have an image at hand right now, but I will post you some soon.
Works good with bopth dry, grayish Tillandsias and
also moist Guzmanias and similar stuff.
And I guess they are way much cheaper than cork.

Greetz Timm

That is a very good idea Timm.

The cork pieces I've been using are leftover "scraps".