Many bromeliads are plants of the tree tops, and it is only natural that we should attempt to put them “back in the air” in ways which simulate their native habitat. This suggests attractive new ways to display and enjoy bromeliads. Any of the epiphytes are suitable for an aerial existence. The small tillandsias with their curious appearances are particularly happy in the air. These plants can be hung singly, or in a cluster, by monofilament threads making a living mobile, or they can be attached to wood or other backing and hung as a living picture. On a driftwood branch set in a container, they mimic a miniature broi neliad tree. Also, bromeliad mobiles, wall hangings, and trees are ideal for persons allergic to molds in soil or other media.

How to construct a hanging bromeliad mount

One or more epiphytes can be used to make a mobile or wall hanging. Mobiles can be a single string or as complex as you desire. The plants are simply tied with strong monofilament thread and hung in good light. Driftwood is an ideal backing for a wall hanging, but the plants will thrive on cork bark, tree fern slabs, grape vine trunk, twisted limbs, skeletons of the cholla cactus, and wood slabs with bark attached. Wood with flakey bark should be avoided. Soak salt­water driftwood in fresh water for several days to leach out salt.

Center and attach a staple, nail, or wire loop on the back or top of your mount for hanging. Arrange the plants in an attractive manner, considering future growth, flowering, and position of offshoots. Then staple, tack, glue (silicone cement), or wire roots of the plant to the mount. If added support is needed insert two small nails on each side of the plant or cluster, cover the roots and a small part of the lower leaves with moistened sphagnum moss, and tie a fine wire tightly across the sphagnum from one nail to the other. The moss will hide the wire and cover the nails if enough is used. Trim the sphagnum with scissors if needed. Now, hang your bromeliad on the wall near a bright window.