Growing Moss
 

Has anyone had any luck growing moss? :confused:
It seems that it is very hard to keep it
alive with tropical bonsai. :mad:
I don't see any that is healthy and green
growing. :(
I know where there is some growing outside,
and I would like to try it.
I will let you all know if I have any luck.

Jerry

The trick with moss is to get some that is growing in bonsai pots in the same/similar conditions as your trees. Example using outdoors moss from a zone 4 area indoors will be guaranteed to fail. My indoor moss came from moss growing on plants from Florida and from freinds with indoor bonsai that were growing moss.
Jerry

Growing Moss
 

I am in Alberta and you are across the border in Montana. :eek:
So we are both zone four?
Do you know where we can get the moss spores? :confused:
That way they would start growing inside,
and be climatized to a house.
Just a thought.

Jerry

Its not available as spores, as far as I know. You need to get a few pieces and place it on your indoor bonsai. It will take and grow on its own.
Jerry
If you visit me, you can have some chunks.

I found this..
 

I found this over the internet, in spanish, with my puertorican-english i try to change in english. Remember i never try.

Receipt to produce moss:Start with some good moss without soil.
In osteraizer put moss, beer, equal quantity of milk or water, half teaspoon of sugar. Mix all in osteraizer.
In a semi-sun place, over a tray with water, put some bricks , but this brick you have to submerge in water for one day.
Over the bricks put a moister thin-clothe.
Now put some mix over the clothe.
Remember to have moister the tray all the time.
Fertilice frecuently while have moss. green
Now, patient and water. Moister the brick constantly, the moos will cover all the clothe, take and put in you bonsai.

I someone try this, please tell you experience. :)

You can buy the moss spores HERE

Adam

I haven't had a lot of luck with moss myself. I tried some spores, but they didn't germinate, not sure what I did wrong. (what's the shelf life of a packet of moss spores anyway?)
Some moss has arrived on tropical plant purchases, and has been transplanted to and is growing fairly well at the base of one bonsai, but it's too dry for it to survive on it's own; right now I have clear plastic wrap covering it to keep it alive, which of course looks goofy, but it's the best I can do at the moment. It does pretty well when misted daily, and survives drying up after a week of vacation occasionally.
What would be really nice would be something that can withstand constant dry air as long as it gets regular water. There must be something out there like that.

I j
http://www.blackjungle.com/home.htm

I see there is a limited quantity of tropical pillow moss available at T & C Terrariums at the moment:
http://home.att.net/~a.j.calisi/moss.html

Cloud Jungle has an empty page right now, but maybe they'll offer some someday:
http://www.cloudjungle.com/eshop/pro...s&catalog=Moss

I haven't had a lot of luck with moss myself. I tried some spores, but they didn't germinate, not sure what I did wrong. (what's the shelf life of a packet of moss spores anyway?)
Some moss has arrived on tropical plant purchases, and has been transplanted to and is growing fairly well at the base of one bonsai, but it's too dry for it to survive on it's own; right now I have clear plastic wrap covering it to keep it alive, which of course looks goofy, but it's the best I can do at the moment. It does pretty well when misted daily, and survives drying up after a week of vacation occasionally.
What would be really nice would be something that can withstand constant dry air as long as it gets regular water. There must be something out there like that.

I just purchased a sheet of moss somewhere, but I forget where. I thought it was at Black Jungle Terrarium Supply, although I don't see it listed in their ferns and moss section right now, but it might just be out of stock:
http://www.blackjungle.com/home.htm

I see there is a limited quantity of tropical pillow moss available at T & C Terrariums at the moment:
http://home.att.net/~a.j.calisi/moss.html

Cloud Jungle has an empty page right now, but maybe they'll offer some someday:
http://www.cloudjungle.com/eshop/pro...s&catalog=Moss

How to Grow Moss for Your Garden


Adding moss to a garden is a beautiful way to enhance its appearance, and with this easy and inexpensive recipe, you'll enjoy growing moss as well.

Steps:1. Put a handful of the moss you want to grow into a blender. 2. Add 1/2 tsp. sugar and one can of beer (the cheapest brand). You can substitute buttermilk for beer if you want. 3. Blend just long enough to mix the ingredients and break down the moss. 4. Spread the soupy mixture with a spatula over the ground or rocks where you want the moss to grow.
Remove as much dirt from the moss as you can before you start. Moss grows best in shady areas.
Warnings:Once you've spread the moss mixture, don't get it wet or you will wash the mixture away.

Tips from eHow Users:Encouraging moss in your rock garden
I have had the greatest success by amending soil pH to 5.0-5.5. Use a wettable sulfur if you already have some moss and you want to encourage it to spread. This also helps control weeds like grass. Always apply pH amendment wet, if you already have moss. In an acidic pH environment, moss will arrive and grow like mad basically on its own. Keep the area moist as well (use a fine misting sprinkler, or you will wash away moss spores) about 2 evenings a week in dry weather.

Collecting and growing moss
According to Ciscoe Morris, collect moss from rocks or concrete to grow on rocks; collect moss from wood to grow on wood. Use super glue to adhere the moss to your growing surface. Spray frequently with buttermilk to give the moss a good start.