Moss In My Trees

BONSAINATIVO

Hi guys

Only have one question. How can i stop the moss growing in my trunks? is there any solution? it´s bad?

Here in South of Chile (Puerto Varas) we have lots of rian and the moss grows very rapidly. Now we are in summer and it still raining
In summer the temperatures we have are +5 to +26 °C and in Winter T° from +10 to -10 °C

please answer me

Gabriel

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fbonsailady

I don't know how to stop it growing Gabriel, but I clean my trunks with a toothbrush and rainwater. Or did you mean 'in between' your trunks at soil level

__________________
Kath zone8b UK
http://www.bonsaigarden.net

DavidN

Down here in Melbourne Australia our summers are very dry and moss has no chance of surviving unless it is continually soaked in water. I guess if you live in a very humid climate then you can't stop the moss growing.

David

Mittar

I hear you there David, Moss is next to impossible to grow outside of a green house in New Mexico.

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Knees in the breeze.

BONSAINATIVO

So, i have to anderstand that i´m very luky now.

thanks everybody for reading me.


Gabriel

Decent1

Hi guys,

Ok, call me weird but I want some moss for the soil level of my Bonsai. Does anyone know where I can get some from in Brisbane Australia Nursery that has it for sale? something...

I've tried the Bonsai Nurserys on the southside of Brisbane to no avail..

Hoping someone can help.

Thanks..

fbonsailady

Hello Decent 1,
I don't know how it is in Australia, but here in the UK the only moss you can buy is the sort used to line hanging baskets, it's much to thick and high to use on top of bonsai pot soil.

In the winter and spring the sort that grows thick and flat grows naturally on walls and paths here, but in the beginning of summer I never have enough. This is what I do. Put some potting compost in a tray, about and inch deep. Soak it and place in deep shade, water every day. After 2 weeks you can see moss forming, after 4 weeks is ready to lift with a knife and place on soil of bonsai pots.

__________________
Kath zone8b UK
http://www.bonsaigarden.net

Decent1

fbonsailady,

Thank you. I think the moss you initially spoke of is known here as Spagnum moss. I agree it is quite bulky. I'm wanting the lower carpet like moss. You said to use potting compost, no moss added to the top to start it? Just the potting compost does it by itself?

Sorry if I seem a little niave on this, but it seems almost impossible to locate any here, apart from very small amounts on nursery stock, which just isn't enough with the growing number of bonsai we have.

Thanks again

fbonsailady

Hi again,
Yes just potting compost no moss to start it off, I find the peat based sort is the best. After 2 weeks it's like a thin green film that forms on top of the soil, this in turn grows as moss, the low carpet type that you mentioned.

I am assuming that because I keep the soil wet (water every day with rain water out of the water butt with a fine rose on the watering can) and keep tray in heavy shade it helps the moss to form

__________________
Kath zone8b UK
http://www.bonsaigarden.net