Are trees always displayed with moss?

[RozendaalArts]

No matter the species? I would think lush moss covering the soil wouldn't suit something like a mountain juniper, but bare soil doesn't feel quite right either, and maybe a clean top layer of gravel might look too artificial? Asking because I never seem to be able to keep moss alive, unless it grows in naturally. Not that I'll likely ever participate in a show myself but I'm still curious, so let me know if you've ever displayed, or seen a tree displayed, with an alternative groundcover.

 

[BrianBay9]

In summer it's hard for us to find decent looking moss, so we substitute some type of top dressing.

 

[RozendaalArts]

In summer it's hard for us to find decent looking moss, so we substitute some type of top dressing.

Such as?

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I'd say most show trees have some type of surface covering, but not all use moss. I've seen colorful sand and different types of gravel. It's all up to the bonsai artist, and what they're trying to convey.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I’m in the “always show with moss” camp.

 

[BrianBay9]

Such as?

black lava, small acadama, decorative gravel

 

[rockm]

If it’s a show there should be some kind of top planting. Doesn’t have to be moss can be another kind of ground cover to fit the planting. This is my favorite forest planting. It uses a variety of ground cover and moss. The combination provides an uneven varied ground that fits the wilderness feel of it.

 

[pandacular]

I really enjoy moss, and find lacking or missing moss top dressing to take away from many otherwise great bonsai. However, I think for desert species like this fragrant bursera from this recent Nationals, an alternative can be very effective. Moss would look out of place with this tree.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Just apply the moss at the point you plan to show them if it won't stay alive for you.

We have the complete opposite problem here, excessive moss growth.

 

[Shibui]

We are trying to show a 'natural' tree in a natural setting.
Moss gives the impression of grass or low understory under the tree but not all trees line in a place with grass or green ground cover.
Many environments have a ground layer of sand or gravel.
Consider the species and the ecosystem you are trying to convey to your viewer.
Arid land species may look far more natural with a top dressing of sand/gravel than with moss.
Some species tend to be allelopathic and kill all vegetation below the branches. Also show these species without moss or green ground cover.

In the end, it's up to you to decide what story your bonsai tells. Don't let the bonsai Nazis tell you how it has to be done.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

We have the complete opposite problem here, excessive moss growth.

How?! My moss keeps struggling to develop within repotting timeframes (3-4 years).

 

[RozendaalArts]

How?! My moss keeps struggling to develop within repotting timeframes (3-4 years).

I'm wondering too, plenty of ambient humidity, and it grows on the garden tiles, but whenever I try to put it on my bonsai it dies. I see Nigel Saunders with his moss spreading like wildfire and wonder how it's possible without all of his trees dying from root rot. It developed naturally in one pot with a birch, amd still looks decent, and also in a couple conifer's pots but stayed alive for a few months only

 

[JoeWilson]

I'm wondering too, plenty of ambient humidity, and it grows on the garden tiles, but whenever I try to put it on my bonsai it dies. I see Nigel Saunders with his moss spreading like wildfire and wonder how it's possible without all of his trees dying from root rot. It developed naturally in one pot with a birch, amd still looks decent, and also in a couple conifer's pots but stayed alive for a few months only

You probably have the wrong (or not-ideal) moss for the conditions. Moss needs two things, water and light, but there are 1000s of species and they all have different needs. If you have moss thriving somewhere else it's probably because the conditions are different. Does the moss on your trees get watered a lot more often than the moss on the garden tiles? If so, consider a moss that wants more water. Something you might find near a stream, for example. Some moss can't get too wet or it will rot. Do the trees shade the moss out? Consider a moss that likes shade, as you probably have a sun-tolerant moss growing in the tiles, and sun-tolerant mosses need quite a bit of light.

It's difficult to get moss to grow here in Denver (dry and intense sun), so I cultivate species that can handle it in trays, bryum caespiticium and bryum argenteum, mostly. I have some outside growing where I have an automated misting system for my trees, and some growing inside under grow lights, which I mist daily. They grow pretty fast, I mean fast for moss, when they get enough attention. It's a mix of stuff I've bought online and found growing on my property.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Gosh, moss? ….sure for display in almost all conditions, except those fairly rare situations (I.e. Like the one. @pandacular pointed out).

Yet would also add moss is a must on bonsai in any reasonable condition where it can grow naturally to help keep the trees healthy and robust. Have done trials on this and moss appears to help more then any of the ground covers tested. All our trees have either moss, or another live ground cover.



The moss on the landscaping bricks is now a mix of the natural moss and the imported Yamagoke. This does well for adding to display to give some variety on the bonsai. we get it to grown simply by watering the bonsai on benches over the bricks.


These other ground covers appear to run a fairly close second in-the robust and healthy for bonsai catagory.
Namely mini succulents. These function similarly on bonsai to moss.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Ruddigger]

Usually…


But not always…

 

[RozendaalArts]

But not always…
View attachment 616236

See here it does look weirdly bare and weirdly matches the pot color. Some gravel would've been better I think.

View attachment 616235

Here too, the huge twisted deadwood screams arid landscape.

 

[RozendaalArts]

Gosh, moss?

Those are some gorgeous mosses. Enviable, even. It rains about 9months a year here and even on the tiles it doesn't grow as lush as in your pics. I've tried many methods of transplanting and various different types from different areas in the garden and still haven't cracked it yet.

I have seen sedums used as ground cover too, but they still have roots which might interfere with the plant's, unless you use them on a fairly large bonsai I guess. I only have small trees so I don't use it as ground cover but do keep a small patch in my bougainvillea's pot, I think they match nicely, and some in accent pots

 

[Attmos]

Should bonsai soil always reach the top of the pot, or can some of the pot's inside show? Not the topic, I know.... Sorry

 

[Ruddigger]

Should bonsai soil always reach the top of the pot, or can some of the pot's inside show? Not the topic, I know.... Sorry

It should not be even with the lip of the pot.

 

[Attmos]

It should not be even with the lip of the pot.

Over the lip? Or under...? Looks like slightly under the lip.