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Hello Thaddeus,

Attila has it pretty much covered really. There are a few things I would add though:

1. Whichever base you use, drill a couple or three holes in it. This will help you to tie or wire the bamboo onto the slab should it need it. The holes also serve as drainage holes. My personal preference would be for the slate.

2. For muck, I use a little modelling clay mixed with peat. The two need to be really well mixed. If you break off a lump, it should to stay bound together and not crumble apart. The clay is the sort that cures in the oven and doesn't need high firing. NOT the coloured primo or prima or fimo or fima or whatever it is called.

3. It is a good idea to fix the moss in place with wire staples. Just bend some off-cuts into a U shape and press them in. It really does help the moss to establish, at least in my experience. Finally, it cannot be stressed enough - Don't let the planting dry out! As Atilla says, once it dries out it is very hard to wet it again.

Good luck with it, remember to take some pictures!

Regards,

TB

13-Apr-2004	#3
Treebeard Tree herder Join Date: Aug-2002 Location: Maidenhead Country: England USDA Zone: 8b AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 2,200	Hello Thaddeus, Attila has it pretty much covered really. There are a few things I would add though: 1. Whichever base you use, drill a couple or three holes in it. This will help you to tie or wire the bamboo onto the slab should it need it. The holes also serve as drainage holes. My personal preference would be for the slate. 2. For muck, I use a little modelling clay mixed with peat. The two need to be really well mixed. If you break off a lump, it should to stay bound together and not crumble apart. The clay is the sort that cures in the oven and doesn't need high firing. NOT the coloured primo or prima or fimo or fima or whatever it is called. 3. It is a good idea to fix the moss in place with wire staples. Just bend some off-cuts into a U shape and press them in. It really does help the moss to establish, at least in my experience. Finally, it cannot be stressed enough - Don't let the planting dry out! As Atilla says, once it dries out it is very hard to wet it again. Good luck with it, remember to take some pictures! Regards, TB __________________ "Do not be hasty, that is my motto" -JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers. ----------------------------------- christopherguise.co.uk