I’ve had this xerographica for about a month and found mold in the bulb.
I’ve been soaking it upside down for 45 minutes in distilled water with the bulb out of the water every 10-14 days. Then hung up on a hanger over a bathtub. Yesterday, when I went to soak it, I noticed the leaves looked a little shriveled – they were looking ok a few days ago. Today, after letting it dry overnight, I saw mold in the bulb and the base is black.
Is there anything I can do to get rid of the mold and save it?
I’ve already learned I need better ventilation (maybe a fan) while I let it dry.
by CarpenterAltruistic7
1 Comment
This xerographica looks dead. It’s done.
Xerographica are desert air plants. They come from scrubby arid forests of Mexico and Central America. They do not need or do well with a lot of water. I do not soak mine at all.
Personally, I think soaking air plants is over rated. I think it kills more air plants (like yours) than it helps. I mist mine fairly often — especially the mesic types (they ones from humid climates) — and they’re doing great. Air plants don’t take baths in the wild. They get rained on and they get misty humidity. It’s much easier to keep water from collecting in the crown when you just mist the leaves.