Respite from the Cold

By Alternativeeden @markngaz

At first I wasn't sure whether the title of this post would refer to me or the Tillandsias I've moved in to the shed last week but with the stretch of cold weather we're currently having it's safe to say it would be both.


The temperatures in our area have been hovering between +2 to -2C so the mild warmth and shelter of the new shed makes spending more time there than outside extra appealing. We haven't finished moving plants in there yet (we ran out of those coloured bowls) but the Tillandsias that were previously in the jungle hut are already in and enjoying the respite from the cold. Assuming that they are all actually alive still...

Need to buy more of those bowls from Ikea!

Apart from one or perhaps two the other two still seems to be looking fine and very much alive which is nice considering that all of them have experienced temperatures down to -2C. They have been left out on the table under the canopy of the jungle hut roof until they were moved into the shed last week. That spot is, by virtue of the roof over it sheltered but it is open on all sides and it would not have been spared from experiencing the cold.

Looks totally fine to me

One on top looks fine, the bottom one looks iffy

Maybe ok, maybe not

Naughty me for not moving them earlier but better late than never!

I'm not sure what their exact names are, anyone out there who can give an ID? They are nice mementos of the Portland Fling we attended last summer (fellow attendees would have instantly recognised them!). As you can see they now live on the lotus seed pod vases I bought from the Wisley shop on our last visit. 


Note the horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum), we were given them and apparently they keep spiders away. I've always thought they were old wives tale but we shall have to wait and see. But it's not exactly spider season at the moment...

Speaking of those vases, I love them (have actually bought them for the shed not the house) but somebody else pointed out that for someone with Trypophobia it would be the worst ornament ever. Safe to say I'm not a trypophobe!

Other plants enjoying the warmth and shelter

Apart from the Tillandsia aeranthos we have in a birdcage these are the only other ones we've got. Hopefully they are all still fine, at least two of them looks like it anyway and they should enjoy the damp and warmer conditions of the shed. And the holes on the vases seemed perfect for them to sit on too!

But look at all those holes, perhaps I should buy more Tillandsias to fill them up!


Mark :-)