How do you get moss to grow at the...

Tincan

Quick question: How do u get moss to grow around the base of a bonsai? or is it fake.

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RedPine

Most people collect or keep some going in a separate tray and use it only for display purposes. Here in AR the moss just kinda starts to show up all on it's own in spring after a tree has been potted with out soil disturbance. Whenever I do a slab planting I use collected moss and place it around, from there it takes care of it's self forever if left outdoors.

BSA1969

Up in the Northwest we have it on everything. I had good luck by gathering it from a rocks, pavment, or concret. This type of moss is thin and good for bonsai. The stuff that grows in the dirt a and on the sides of tree is too thick. Also lightly tap it with a smooth faced hammer to make the moss more flat then just throw it on the soil and WATER A LOT. The moss will take up some water for the tree.

I am trying to grow the packet moss but havn't had any luck.............yet.

gregb

I think I might know where you're getting the idea of moss around the base of a bonsai--in the photos of bonsai that are being shown. Most of the bonsai featured in bonsai publications have been "mossed" just prior to the taking of the photo. The moss that is used is selected for its color, short stature and sometimes grows in small, round colonies. It is usually removed after the show or photo shoot to prevent it from growing onto the deadwood or growing into the bark and making it risky by damaging the bark when it comes time to remove it. If you plan to have moss on the surface of your bonsai full time, plant it around the edges of the container and keep it away from the bark of the tree if possible. If it is in conditions where it grows well it will colonize the soil surface fairly quickly and you will have to keep an eye on it. Smooth bark trees present little difficulty with peeling the moss off the bark. But trees that have flaky bark, like pines, may risk damage to the bark when you try to peel it off them. And trees that have deadwood, such as junipers, should not be allowed to have moss next to the trunk as it will promote the decay process of the wood.

I peel the moss off the soil in the early fall and shear the dead layer of the season's growth off and place it back on top of the soil well away from the trunk of the tree. I also peel any strands of moss that are trying to grow on the trunk off at this time. I have kept varieties of moss I like for many years using this method.