What should I do about a Tillandsia cyanea with accidentally removed roots?

Question

My Tillandsia cyanea was watered too much, and when I touched it, the top part with the leaves separated from the roots. I've found that some types of Tillandsia don't need roots, but is this it? Should I put it in the soil again?

Answer 1

It may not need soil as it is an epiphyte but it does need daily misting with distilled water or water that has had municipal chlorine/chloramine removed.

Try physically attaching it with rubber bands or wire to a porous medium:

• a bit of cork as sold in pet stores
• some nurseries sell material for orchids, a dense root like block which drains well
• a slab of bark

Then provide bright diffuse light and mist daily. This will duplicate as close as possible the native environment in the rain forests.