Moss?

Deflation

Hello. Im pretty new to bonsai (just a few months) and have a juniper. Its in awesome health, and gets plenty of sun and the right amount of water.

I was wondering about moss.

Ive seen lots of photos with moss covering the soil around the base of the tree. Is this merely decorative or have some meaning for the wellness of the tree?

Also, if its suggested, where can I get moss at, and what is the right kind? There is almost no moss around these parts, and the only plant nurseries around here are wal-mart and lowes etc.

Thanks for the help!

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Moss is mostly about decoration. Moss can help reduce surface evaporation and prevent erosion of the soil, but it's more likely to cause drainage problems than benefits if it gets out of hand.

Look for moss growing in the sun. The moss that grows in the cracks of the sidewalk is a good choice. The ropy stuff growing in full shade is not a good choice. You can let it dry then crumble and sprinkle it on the soil surface, or you can transplant it carefully like carpet.

There are some spores available on the TreeBay Bonsai Tools & Supplies
site and from other sources, too.

More stuff in the WIKI under moss

Regards,

Matt

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4NT

I picked up several packs of moss a while back. It never really grew out to be the soft green I was expecting. For the most part it stayed brown. Of course I own tropical bonsai, a ficus and a Fukien Tea and I live in Dallas, sooooo...



Both of these tropical’s need tons of direct sunlight and the weather here is usually dry and hot. Not ideal for growing moss.



I ended up picking the moss off as it was acting as a sponge, soaking up allot of water and leaving it on top of the soil.



I certainly wouldn't discourage trying but I didn't have the best of luck.

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All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.
-Buddha

Will_Heath

Deflation,

Careful with that moss. It is very good for "dressing up" a bonsai for a show, however if it is doing well on the soil surface of a pine, you may be watering too much. It can trap in moisture or prevent water from getting down into the soil and make it difficult to tell how wet or dry the soil is.

I keep regular bricks submerged 1/2 way in water in a tray under my growing bench. I use a old blender reserved for the purpose of mixing moss with buttermilk (sometimes beer) to make a paste that I spread over the top of these bricks which will soon grow evenly. I add water to the tray as need, this seems to give the moss all the moisture they need. Excess water from the bonsai above keeps the humidity up.

The moss will grow and the "sheets" are easily peeled off and cut to size to cover a soil surface. Once I am done showing the bonsai I recycle the moss though the blender again.

As Matt mentioned, The moss I get from between my patio block works well. I am thinking about trying some exotic spores though.


Will Heath

4NT

Great tip! How does the moss smell with the buttermil added?

__________________
All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.
-Buddha

Will_Heath

Like uncomposted manure. The smell goes away after a few days.

For me the buttermilk seems to promote faster, greener growth than the beer, but with beer you get to drink the leftovers, I suggest using a forty ounce bottle to make sure you have enough.


Will Heath

BillStruhar

That's a great method for cultivating moss. I suppose you just "forgot" to tell your local friends. Thanks, anyway.

Will_Heath

errr, well, heck, I have to hold back somethings so I can look good at the meetings, lol.


Will

4NT

Do you find that the moss enjoys the same beer as you do?

__________________
All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.
-Buddha