Tillandsia, a plant that lives on air, sells for up to Rp 8 million
I just read detikJatim’s report on Tillandsia, the ornamental plant also known as air plant. This plant from Latin America needs no soil or water to live, and plant lovers like it for its unusual shapes and its supposedly easy care. The article features Opik, a grower in Kota Batu, East Java.
According to Opik, the key to caring for it is proper watering and good air circulation. If you water it every day, growth is not optimal and the leaves tend to point upward. When watering is right, the leaves grow evenly downward and the curl of the leaves looks better. He also suggests placing it outdoors where it gets wind, which helps the roots grow faster, although the old leaves may dry out sooner.
The prices are quite interesting. For beginners, a clump of Lonantha costs about Rp 150 thousand, and stemmed Cotton Candy costs Rp 25 to 30 thousand. For collectors, Xerographica pups sell for Rp 150 to 600 thousand. A large, unflowered Xerographica Long Hair costs Rp 3.5 to 4 million, and very long specimens can reach Rp 8 million. Streptophylla is described as one of the varieties collectors hunt for.
What I like most about the article is its explanation of the life cycle. After flowering, the plant stops growing and puts its energy into making new pups, up to about 15, before its life ends. So the high price makes sense, because it takes a long time to grow one.
Source: detikJatim
According to Opik, the key to caring for it is proper watering and good air circulation. If you water it every day, growth is not optimal and the leaves tend to point upward. When watering is right, the leaves grow evenly downward and the curl of the leaves looks better. He also suggests placing it outdoors where it gets wind, which helps the roots grow faster, although the old leaves may dry out sooner.
The prices are quite interesting. For beginners, a clump of Lonantha costs about Rp 150 thousand, and stemmed Cotton Candy costs Rp 25 to 30 thousand. For collectors, Xerographica pups sell for Rp 150 to 600 thousand. A large, unflowered Xerographica Long Hair costs Rp 3.5 to 4 million, and very long specimens can reach Rp 8 million. Streptophylla is described as one of the varieties collectors hunt for.
What I like most about the article is its explanation of the life cycle. After flowering, the plant stops growing and puts its energy into making new pups, up to about 15, before its life ends. So the high price makes sense, because it takes a long time to grow one.
Source: detikJatim
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