Moss Question..

Ceberon

I've noticed that things like the slab plantings seem to have an immense amount of moss growing on them. When you go to repot these plants every couple years (I assume you still do this with slab plantings), do you reuse the moss, or do you grab new moss?

And in either case, how do you grow such a large amount of moss? I have such a small amount right now, it doesn't really grow wild around our area (too much weed killer being used I've heard).

Are there any methods for growing large amounts of moss from small amounts? I have a couple pots half filled with moss, but they're not exactly spreading wildly.. if I needed moss for a display, I'd run out pretty quick.

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KZitzewitz

My local garden center actually seels Keyoto Moss spores in a little baggy, they are from some big company who makes them for bonsai and such, but you might want to try there. And I have not used them, but a good questions I would like to ask related is this. The bottom of terra cota pots and such (the water holder things), can they be used as moss growth containers? I cannot see why not?

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mfp1028

I tried to use a small tray, the bottom of the pots like you were saying, to grow a little tuft of grass, cause i thought it was "cute". .................................................. .....
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alright, everyone done laughing?
anyways the terra cotta sucks up the water like it's going out of style and will probably, (unless maybe you kept it in a another non-terracotta tray of water) end up bone dry by the end of the day. I personnally grow all my moss in old discarded toilets which i place in the front yard and fill with soil.

ripsgreentree

I purchased moss spores that were supposed to be from japan. I have transplanted it from pot to pot and so always have a supply. When I want to get moss growing on one of my bonsai I just put small pieces of moss on the bonsai, tucked into corners or the edges of rocks and after a while I have moss. Many people do not like moss on there bonsai but I love it and as such it does not bother me. I have heard testamoneys of all the problems that moss will cause, but over all of the years that I have been doing bonsai I have not seen any of the trouble that was talked about. Also this moss has never looked bad enough to remove from the bonsais no matter what the temprature. I will qualify all of this by saying that when I want to show a tree with moss I will arange it just as I want it to be seen and not leave it to chance. If I were you I would try the koyoto spores and hope that they are a good strain.

Glenn

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ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

Carl_Bergstrom

The old discarded toilets in the front yard - what I great idea! I think I'll start growing moss in mine, too.

Now where to put the koi....?

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In love with trees

Tony

"Now where to put the koi....?"

Why in the discarded bathtubs, of course.

gilbycantu

I would suggest keep your eyes open. I live in an apartment and was trying to figure out where to aquire moss for my trees. I ordered some live growing moss on eBay and was very dissatisfied with it. He pretty much sent me a clump of mud. One day, I was walking my dog around the complex and in a corner of the building next to an air conditioner was about 10 square feet of thriving beautiful moss. I began walking around the entire complex and every building had an area like this. I can't seem to make it multiply on my trees so when I need more I just go to my secret stash.

Gilbert

Ceberon

So lets say I have one pot with some moss growing in it. In the few weeks I've been watching it, I haven't seen an incredible amount of spread occuring. If you had a single pot of moss, how would you encourage this moss to grow over 5 pots worth of soil? I have heard ways to mix up dried moss with beer and milk or something similar.. would this speed things up, instead of letting it spread naturally?

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It's not the size that counts, it's how you wire it.

Treebeard

Ceberon, you aren't going to see much moss growth in a few weeks, you need 4-6 weeks at least. I have no trouble at all growing moss, in fact I have to remove big patches 2 or 3 times a year from my trees (and patio). (and lawn). (and path). (and roof). (and gutters). I have come to the conclusion though that it isn't anything special I am doing, it's just my local climate seems just right for moss.

As for your question,


answer: both.

Next Question:


I gather it up from patio, path etc and press it into the top of a compost filled flower pot. seehere

lastly you asked:



see previous answer.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

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