bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Checking Soil Dryness With Moss?!

Sha,
Moss is a really fun part of the bonsai hobby. There are many approaches to it. The above advice is ok. But the problem with assembling moss just prior to showing is that it looks like a crazy quilt.
If you use the very low growing velvety, dark green moss you will not have any reason to take it off and put it back on. It has no invasive roots and can help to perserve moisture. And it look MMArvalous!!!!
Find some moss growing in full sun if you can. Let it dry out on a flat. Shred it into fine pieces. Sprinkle it lightly over your soil surface. Forget about it.
It may take a while but slowly it will grow and cover. You may damage it when placing dango balls(fertilzer) on the surface so find a little clear area.
When you repot you will have to disturb it. You can save big pieces or do the shred and spread again.
There are other ways which include a blender but I will save your marriage and not mention them. Have fun!

25-Mar-2002	#5
Bonsainut Carrier of Bonsai Fever Join Date: Oct-2001 Location: So-Cal, US of A Country: America The Beautiful USDA Zone: Zone 9-10 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,833	Re: Checking Soil Dryness With Moss?! Sha, Moss is a really fun part of the bonsai hobby. There are many approaches to it. The above advice is ok. But the problem with assembling moss just prior to showing is that it looks like a crazy quilt. If you use the very low growing velvety, dark green moss you will not have any reason to take it off and put it back on. It has no invasive roots and can help to perserve moisture. And it look MMArvalous!!!! Find some moss growing in full sun if you can. Let it dry out on a flat. Shred it into fine pieces. Sprinkle it lightly over your soil surface. Forget about it. It may take a while but slowly it will grow and cover. You may damage it when placing dango balls(fertilzer) on the surface so find a little clear area. When you repot you will have to disturb it. You can save big pieces or do the shred and spread again. There are other ways which include a blender but I will save your marriage and not mention them. Have fun! __________________ Keep growing,---'Nut Lethal Use of Farce