Will_Heath

Newt,

Mossing as you have described will work well and I have done that often myself.

However, when you cultivate, you have a number of different types of moss always available to you and you control the size pieces you use. If I write 103 on this I will show some of the advantages of cultivating over collecting moss. One major one is with the different types. I tend to use a few different types of moss in the same bonsai because it gives the illusion of different plants growing under the tree, it gives multiple textures, and it allows for more creativity than a single species.

Cultivating also allows me to share special mosses with friends and to keep a great species handy. It also gives me whole sheets of moss to custom cut instead of pieces is easier for me and allows me to cover big areas if needed.

Lastly (for now) as I have said before, sidewalk moss and such may contain residue of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or other harmful chemicals due to it just being there when applications are made. I know I am slightly paranoid in this aspect, but I feel better growing my own.




Will