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Bonchancesai

Hi folks,

What's the general feeling about moss? I would like to have it around my satsuki azalea for a nice visual effect. Would that be OK?

Also, can one just buy moss somewhere or do you have to grow it from seed or something?

I appreciate your input. Thanks!

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jfecme

The general feeling is don't use it except when you are ready to display it in a competition or show (or maybe when you are having company and want to show it off.). It's pretty, but if allowed to overgrow it can inhibot the flow of water to the tree's roots,if it's the wrong type it can take over the tree and eventually kill it by holding moisture and bacterium to the trunk and limbs.

So be judicious in its use.

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Sailor_Jerry

Oh crap...news to me. Pardon me while I remove some moss.

susieq

ask a dozen people and you will get a dozen answers. I like moss growing on the soil. It helps keep the bonsai soil from drying out too fast on hot summer days. The down side is that you HAVE to keep it off the base of the tree... if you allow the moss to grow on the tree, it will rot the wood underneath it and I have several scarred trees to prove it. The stuff grows and spreads pretty quickly in ideal growing conditions so you really have to stay on top of it.

Sailor_Jerry

Awesome Suz, thanks for the insight.

Mcspeed

I am thinking more along the idea of 10 out of 12 might say it's ok. The soil that the moss is growing in has a tendency to filter into our bonsai soil and clog it, it competes for water and nutrients, can cause rot, and the general concensus I believe to be put it on for show then remove it. The stuff grows all over the place and looks great, get it into a well watered bonsi pot and it takes off and you loose the groomed putting green look. IMO leave it for the show.

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bisjoe

Around here we get moss on everything 9 months of the year whether we want it or not and it doesn't hurt anything as long as you are aware of it and water accordingly. I have many of my trees on a drip system so it doesn't impeed water getting to the roots. Others I just water really slow for a long time to make sure it penetrates. Even here it will turn brown in mid summer
from the sun.

Some mosses may compete for nutrients, the kind we have does not, it sits on top and has no roots to hold it down, in fact you can peel it off like carpet
any time you want. Sometimes it will try to climb up the trunk so I have to keep an eye on it and keep it under control.

PatArizona

I agree that moss looks good on some, if not many, bonsai. Further, moss can be used without being harmful...if properly tended.

However, for me...again I say FOR ME...moss on bonsai is not worth the effort to propagate it and keep is healthy and happy...in consideration of the potential hazards the bonsai might be subjected to. Keep in mind...FROM MY EXPERIENCE...if you provide the moss with a watering regime that keeps it healthy and happy, you my be...repeat, may be...providing too much water for your bonsai.

My solution is...I do not propagate moss.

That's what works for me.

By the way...I have seen moss growing on bonsai soil...healthy happy...in the Southern Arizona Desert. It can be done.

Moss or...not. My choice in NOT.

Pat

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RussEgan

I think moss can look great if used properly. I suggest you try it without for your first few bonsai, then try it out to see how it looks. You can usually tell whether a tree will look good with moss applied, but it is really down to your own opinion, and appreciation.

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