Growing moss

miyagi

Does anyone have any tips on growing moss and keeping it looking good.On the few trees i have with a good spread of moss the moss eventually dries out. i have tried giving the trees plenty of mist and moving them to different positions around the garden. Any help would be appreciated as i think a good covering of moss can make a good tree look that much better.

Cheers
Miyagi.

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TreeBay

Collect moss from areas where it grows naturally in sunlight. The types of moss that develop in different conditions are often different species.

I find a nice variety of moss in fairly bright sunlight growing in parking areas and believe it or not - in the cracks of sidewalk - where it is subject to frequent irrigation.

You can crumble the moss onto the surface of your tree or try to plant it in flats. Don't cover more than 50% of the soil surface with moss, and even that much is pushing it. It interferes with diffusion of air into the soil.

I think you will find more articles on moss if you search in bonsaiTALK Links under "MOSS" or look in the Repotting->Techniques folder.

TreeBay Bonsai Tools & Supplies sells moss spores which can be used to innoculate the soil with a nice variety of Japanese moss. That is another option.

Regards,

Matt

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brothercain

I too have collected moss from various places.
St a few small, quarter size pieces around in my plants. Frequent misting does help, but I also have trays with aquraium gravel in them, then add water to just below the surface of the gravel. the moss and the tree too, love the humidity. Works for me.
Just remember to check the water level every day!

jackmickelberg(deceased)

I do a lot with moss, because I plant a lot on rocks and flats where I use the moss to keep the dirt from running off. (See picture)

I find that most wild-collected moss doesn't like a whole lot of sunlight. In cases like the picture, I keep it very wet. Dampness seems to be the key. I keep extra moss growing under my grow boxes (which are elevated about 6 inches). This way, theyre out of direct sunlight, it's nice and moist, and they get the run-off water from the trees.

Hope this helps!

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miyagi

Thanks for the info Jack.

Miyagi.

P.S. love the dead bonsai sketch, nudge nudge wink wink no what i mean ay squire no what i mean.

jackmickelberg(deceased)

Are you selling something?

Treebeard

Hi Miyagi,

I collect moss from patio and pavement cracks. I firmly press it into the surface of an 8" flowerpot that's filled with plain B&Q potting compost. It gets no watering, just what it can get from rainfall. After 3-4 months there is a nice even spread of moss across the whole pot. When I need some for a tree, I pull of a couple of small bits about the size of the old 50p, and press it firmly into the bonsai soil. in 3 months it spreads across 1/2 of the bonsai pot.

The type that I collect is thick, dense and vibrant green, not the dark dull straggly stuff.

Here's what it looks like on my Chamaecyparis group.

Regards,

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bonsai 013.jpg (59.2 KB, 292 views)

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TreeBay

Now I have to ask if you are whitewashing those trunks. The look almost like birch!



Regards,

Matt

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Treebeard

LOL! just bad hard water deposits. I WILL get round to removing them... sometime!

regards,

__________________
"Do not be hasty, that is my motto"
-JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers.
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