green sheet moss airlayer

[SouthernMaple]

So I just realized I used the wrong moss to airlayer yesterday. I used green sheet moss instead of spagnum. Will it work? And if not do I have time to replace and use a different medium(sphagnum or akadama). It has rained the last two days if that makes a difference.

 

[MrWunderful]

Yes a day or 2 lost will not make a difference. I would get it in the proper medium.

Not sure what sheet moss is so I cant comment on that.

 

[Mayank]

So I just realized I used the wrong moss to airlayer yesterday. I used green sheet moss instead of spagnum. Will it work? And if not do I have time to replace and use a different medium(sphagnum or akadama). It has rained the last two days if that makes a difference.

Why would it matter. Just something to keep it moist right? I'd think it'd work just fine.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Sphagnum contains very few fungi on its own, has a nice pH balance for rooting and some antiseptic properties.
I don't like saying something is better, but sphagnum moss is actually better.

 

[AJL]

Ive successfully airlayered using green moss off my roof and lawn mixed with cat litter,so I dont think you should worry too much, just keep it moist and well wrapped.

 

[SouthernMaple]

So my mentor told me it was ok that it was the same as sphagnum, however the bonsai nerd that im friends with tells me to replace it that it will dry out faster than sphagnum and he doesn't know if it matters or not but says I should wire a small pot or yogurt container onto the airlayer and use akadama instead of moss. What are yalls opinions?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Why would it matter. Just something to keep it moist right? I'd think it'd work just fine.

Just depends what "green sheet" moss is. Some moss, if you buy it from craft stores for example, contains chemicals that may harm/inhibit root formation. They add chems to the moss to keep it dead I have seen this in moss used in dried flower arrangements, etc.

 

[SouthernMaple]

Just depends what "green sheet" moss is. Some moss, if you buy it from craft stores for example, contains chemicals that may harm/inhibit root formation. They add chems to the moss to keep it dead I have seen this in moss used in dried flower arrangements, etc.

the only ingredient is green moss, but i guess it could have chemicals in it

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

When sold in the section of an arts and crafts shop, green sheet moss is often dyed green. When sold as terrarium supplies, it is not usually dyed.

There are many types of moss, sheet moss is more likely a species similar to what the Japanese call forest moss. It doesn't hold as much water as sphagnum moss.

You can use anything, as long as it is chemically inert or beneficial, holds water, and won't break down during the air later process. Sphagnum moss is superior over most other materials. But you can use many different things.

Personally I have used sphagnum, and tried hanging pots of Akadama, or other bonsai media. I found sphagnum gave me, in my conditions better results than anything else.

 

[SouthernMaple]

So i took off the moss and replaced it with soil and a little spagnum 75/25, its surprisingly stable

 

[SouthernMaple]

So its almost beein 8 weeks since I put the layer on, ive got some discoloration and some roots, i jammed some more spagnum onto those roots, but I am getting really impatient and I want to cut it from the tree. How long should i wait. I also move again on the 15th of August and would it be better to move first or cut the layer?

 

[sorce]

It depends!

Sorce

 

[SouthernMaple]

i think im gonna lop it off this weekend

 

[SouthernMaple]

Well i ripped the band aid off really hard and went for the plunge. Of the three airlayers I have ever done this one had the most roots, the first one lived but the person i left it with killed it, the second(nishiki gawa) didn't take at all and the third orange dream is now sitting in a pot of akadama. The question I have is what soil should it be in? Petter Warren says to use bonsai soil with spagnum on top and Peter Chan says to just use spagnum




Its currently sitting in half akadama and half spagnum resting in a pot of water and I cut almost half the leaves off