bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - To Moss, or Not to Moss, That is the Question?

Your bigggest worry at this point for a Japanese maple in Va. is how to overwinter it. You cannot keep it inside.

Moss is a temporary thing for bonsai. It comes and goes depending on weather and soil conditions--it doesn't like "new" bonsai soil and if "planted" by the grower on soil that doesn't meet its needs, dies off quickly. Most of the pictures of advanced bonsai have had moss planted on them just for the picture.

Trying to keep a lush carpet of it on a plant is not the best thing to do. What makes moss happy all the time can be fatal to the tree. It likees very moist non-draining soil. It holds in moisture. Bonsai need fast draining soil that dries some before the next watering.

You have to make one or the other a priority. Grow moss or grow bonsai. The tree is what you paid for. Look to how to care for it. Moss usually takes care of itself, if it finds the right conditions.

8-Nov-2005	#3
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	Your bigggest worry at this point for a Japanese maple in Va. is how to overwinter it. You cannot keep it inside. Moss is a temporary thing for bonsai. It comes and goes depending on weather and soil conditions--it doesn't like "new" bonsai soil and if "planted" by the grower on soil that doesn't meet its needs, dies off quickly. Most of the pictures of advanced bonsai have had moss planted on them just for the picture. Trying to keep a lush carpet of it on a plant is not the best thing to do. What makes moss happy all the time can be fatal to the tree. It likees very moist non-draining soil. It holds in moisture. Bonsai need fast draining soil that dries some before the next watering. You have to make one or the other a priority. Grow moss or grow bonsai. The tree is what you paid for. Look to how to care for it. Moss usually takes care of itself, if it finds the right conditions.