Moss gardening

[sorce]

Are you in that part of Florida where moss doesn't grow?

If not, just collect it, rub the majority of the dirt off the bottom and throw it on the soil.

The remaining soil is held intact by the moss and anything dislodged is much less quantity than any organic fertilizer, or what dust in the air would deposit.

Moss seems more adaptable than anything else.
If it came from shade and you have it in sun it just needs more water.
If it came from sun, not enough water will kill it.

The moss you have is one of the easiest.

For me, collecting copious amounts of moss is the best. Much easier than trying to grow it. Just keep collecting.

Sorce

 

[Forsoothe!]

I don't think anyone read my prior post, so here it is again...

 

[Cadillactaste]

It is important to collect moss where you intend to grow it. You will have less success with moss found in a wooded area stuck in full sun. I tend to collect the moss off the lake dam...full sun tends to do best in pots. I don't intentionally grow it. But have sent some to my friend in Florida for their show trees. I tend to grow moss without trying here in NE Ohio...lake front. Grows everywhere...even on my composite decking.

 

[Katie0317]

I bought the small tray of moss I have from Artisan's bonsai nursery. He had it in full sun. I've kept it in full sun.

We get a lot of afternoon summer rain in Florida so everything is staying wet with God water.

@sorce I can't imagine anywhere in Florida where there isn't moss...somewhere. I just don't have the time right now to go looking for some. So was hoping to figure out how to grow this small piece and go from there.

@moke When you did the spaghum moss thing, did you use fresh springy spaghum moss to grind on top of it or the dried up version? If I can find the kind I bought that's what I'd like to grow. You did yours directly on top of the bonsai itself? That's pretty brave.

Would you suggest putting it in sun or shade with that method? Thanks for the moss suggestions...Am just keeping mine in the same conditions it was in when I bought it. Full on Florida sun and heat.

Btw, we have heavily chlorinated water so we moved our rain barrel to collect all this rain we're getting. The barrel is so big I don't know how we'll get the water out though, or move it back up high where it was...hmmm. Probably should have thought about that before we started filling it up again.

I watched a youtube video made by the man I bought my serissas from on Ebay. Was pleased to see an African American man growing bonsai. He had an old shovel handle that he attached to a giant empty restaurant sized can to dip water with. Made me think how often we go buy something when we could probably figure something out!

 

[moke]

I bought the small tray of moss I have from Artisan's bonsai nursery. He had it in full sun. I've kept it in full sun.

Yep try and just duplicate wherever it was doing good.

We get a lot of afternoon summer rain in Florida so everything is staying wet with God water.
When you did the spaghum moss thing, did you use fresh springy spaghum moss to grind on top of it or the dried up version? If I can find the kind I bought that's what I'd like to grow. You did yours directly on top of the bonsai itself? That's pretty brave.

I used compressed dried stuff yellow tan color, I blended it pretty fine maybe 1/4” in size. Be careful when you mess with dried sphagnum wear a dust mask, it can be dangerous if inhaled.

Would you suggest putting it in sun or shade with that method? Thanks for the moss suggestions...Am just keeping mine in the same conditions it was in when I bought it. Full on Florida sun and heat.

Definitely the shade in a cool area, it would help to lay some plastic wrap or in a container lightly over it the hold humidity until it starts to grow.

 

[rockm]

It's important to remember that the moss we use for bonsai, bryum caespiticum (tight, low moss that grows in sidewalks, etc.) likes drainage. It will tend to avoid areas that remain soggy.

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The mosses collected from the forest floor aren't suitable for bonsai use, too tall and coarse.They will also mostly die off when moved to sunnier locations.

Live sphagnum moss is a very poor moss for use in bonsai. It becomes invasive, it's fibers are fronds are too long and it becomes annoying in a bonsai pot. I've been trying to get rid of it for literally decades.

Also, completely avoid "Irish moss."--any kind of Sagina.They are not mosses and they are wildly invasive. Sagna can form dense mats on topsoil, preventing water and air penetration.

 

[Katie0317]

Regarding sphagnum moss...It's a mess for many plants. Orchid growers use it so it will survive long periods without being watering while it's in transport, and sitting on shelves in big box stores etc...Then owners tend to overwater it and wonder why it dies.

An orchid bought anywhere other than from a reputable dealer should be transplanted asap and the sphagnum moss gotten rid of immediately. And wearing gloves when handling is necessary and as someone mentioned a mask as well. It's just nasty stuff.

I'd seen the moss milkshake 'stuff' for sale. Have you tried it?

@rockm Is that a bull terrier? We've had a standard and a mini but no longer...They're special though.

 

[rockm]

Regarding sphagnum moss...It's a mess for many plants. Orchid growers use it so it will survive long periods without being watering while it's in transport, and sitting on shelves in big box stores etc...Then owners tend to overwater it and wonder why it dies.

An orchid bought anywhere other than from a reputable dealer should be transplanted asap and the sphagnum moss gotten rid of immediately. And wearing gloves when handling is necessary and as someone mentioned a mask as well. It's just nasty stuff.

I'd seen the moss milkshake 'stuff' for sale. Have you tried it?

@rockm Is that a bull terrier? We've had a standard and a mini but no longer...They're special though.

Yes. She's a mini bull terrier. She just turned five. I had standards for 25 before I got her. Thought the mini would be less work. Nope. She's Double the work and smarter...

 

[Katie0317]

Yes. She's a mini bull terrier. She just turned five. I had standards for 25 before I got her. Thought the mini would be less work. Nope. She's Double the work and smarter...

We had to agree to have our mini shown to get his nat'l championship and he wouldn't show for the handler so I did it. He got his championship before he was two. Sweetest dog known to man but he got juvenile renal disease. There are so many genetic issues with the minis we just couldn't do it again. I went back to my fostering which has been my life's work. I had a 'foster failure' and kept a dog I never would have dreamed of and I got over bull terriers. They're smart though and a very funny! I could never buy again. Too many great dogs aren't given a chance.

 

[rockm]

We had to agree to have our mini shown to get his nat'l championship and he wouldn't show for the handler so I did it. He got his championship before he was two. Sweetest dog known to man but he got juvenile renal disease. There are so many genetic issues with the minis we just couldn't do it again. I went back to my fostering which has been my life's work. I had a 'foster failure' and kept a dog I never would have dreamed of and I got over bull terriers. They're smart though and a very funny! I could never buy again. Too many great dogs aren't given a chance.

They can be heartbreakers. My first had heart and kidney issues his whole life. He lived to be 16. Damn dog was indestructible. Had to amputate two of his toes to the second knuckle because he broke the nails below the quick playing frisbee and jumping six feet in the air. Those broken nails developed a raging infection--resulting in the amputations. He killed a cat. He got in fights (not of his making, but he finished them) and he and his successors have torn up up my house. Every one of them has cost me $$. Even with the issues, I don't think I can ever get over them.

as for rescue, I've had a few rescues, but I've also bought show-bred bullies too. Good dogs come from many different places.