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

Moss itself does nothing mechanically productive, it just looks really good on displays. Moss can act like a sponge soaking up water and holding it on the soil which can cause root rot. Also, completely covering the surface with moss will limit air circulation and keep fresh air out of the soil underneath, which again can promote fungal attacks and inhibits root growth and productivity. The actual harm of moss is limited, they don't use too many nutrients or produce any chemicals that inhibit tree growth. But the indirect effects are more problemsome.

John Naka does not discourage the planting of moss, but he does emphasize the importance of spots of bare soil, for the above reasons, just moss in itself is fine, just make sure it doesn't take over your tree and harm it.

8-Nov-2005	#8
soonami bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Oct-2005 Location: Philadelphia Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: 6 Posts: 1,044	Moss itself does nothing mechanically productive, it just looks really good on displays. Moss can act like a sponge soaking up water and holding it on the soil which can cause root rot. Also, completely covering the surface with moss will limit air circulation and keep fresh air out of the soil underneath, which again can promote fungal attacks and inhibits root growth and productivity. The actual harm of moss is limited, they don't use too many nutrients or produce any chemicals that inhibit tree growth. But the indirect effects are more problemsome. John Naka does not discourage the planting of moss, but he does emphasize the importance of spots of bare soil, for the above reasons, just moss in itself is fine, just make sure it doesn't take over your tree and harm it.