Growing Moss

flytrapxx

how does one get moss to grow in the pot and continue to grow, stay green and not die?!

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TreeBay

You need to start with the right moss. Short textured moss growing in full sun, like you might see in the cracks of the sidewalk is a good choice. If you can't find moss of this type, you can order suitable moss spores from sites like TreeBay Bonsai Tools & Supplies


Moss can be collected and transplanted like sod, or you can allow it to dry and crumble it over the surface of the bonsai soil. It may take several months to develop. But, you don't want moss to overrun the pot or it can interfere with the diffusion of oxygen into the soil, and the soil staying too wet, leading to root rot or the colonization of the pot by algae and hornwort. Try not to allow moss to cover more than 50% of the soil surface with moss for an extended period. The mossy carpets seen beneath some bonsai in shows are often added in the weeks before the show and removed shortly afterward.

Moss likes a roughly neutral pH. If it gets too acidic or too basic, it will not grow. Also, the application of chemical fertilizer can create a (temporary) high nitrogen situation that mosses don't like.

Most moss will die back in the cold of winter. It'smay be a good idea to remove the moss at this time anyway - if it rains a lot in your area during winter but stays above freezing - for the reasons described above.

Moss likes high humidity. If you are thinking about trying to grow it indoors - give up - unless you have a sunny basement or a climate controlled greenhouse.

Regards,

Matt

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spoonman

try spraying 1/2 milk 1/2 water onto the soil, sometimes works. that misxture also works if your having powdery mildew.

__________________
"Little laurel trees, your roots can find
No mountain, yet your leaves extend
Beyond your own world into mine
Perennial wands, unfolding in my thought
The budding evergreen of time."
-Kathleen Raine, The Trees in Tubs

flytrapxx

thanks for the suggestions

spoonman

if you lived near me id give you as much moss as you want, cause its everywhere in the shadehouse at work.

__________________
"Little laurel trees, your roots can find
No mountain, yet your leaves extend
Beyond your own world into mine
Perennial wands, unfolding in my thought
The budding evergreen of time."
-Kathleen Raine, The Trees in Tubs

TreeBay

Moss growing in the shade isn't usually the type you want. It often has a stringy texture or can't tolerate full sun.

Also if you are going to go spraying moss or buttermilk around it would be better to do that with containers devoted to the purpose and then harvest the moss and move it to the designated trees.

Regards,

Matt

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