AusBonsai

Hi everyone. I am wondering where I could get moss? I live in the city so I have not seen a lot of moss around. I know I can get Kyoto moss spores online, but given customs here in Australia I can't imagine it getting through. Is there anywhere in Sydney I can buy spores or does anyone know a place with lots of moss that I could rehouse?

Thanks in advance@

I would head to the closest nursery-it normally covers there tables that are in the shade and they normally appreciate it being removed

Hi beginnertobonsai , moss can be collected from in and around Pine plantations or Elglish elms plots . As long as its miost and has dappled light it tends to frow very well . Some collected mosses can have nasty little weeds which can take over bonsai pots quickly so care should be taken when collecting .

I collect the best moss from a local caravan park where the Elm leaves rot and decay , this is where the moss grows at its best arouns the compost heaps . The grasses are weeded out and i'm left with slabs of moss which go into a green house under the benches and used as required .

Cheers Alpineart

In the city, look around carparks, railway platforms and other concrete or paved areas. South side of buildings or narrow spaces between buildings is the best location and obviously newer surfaces have less moss than older places. You need to be brave and risk the strange looks from passers by as you are on hands and knees scraping up slabs of moss. An old table knife (not a sharp one) is the best tool for lifting the slabs of moss out of the cracks in the concrete and around the edges of the paved surfaces. Just wet the slabs of moss, squash them flat then push onto the surface of the pot. They start growing within a few days.

just about any area that is damp and is shaded from direct sunlight will have some moss. look around bushy areas or parks.
I collect mine along open roadside storm water drains, just the dirt ones not concrete.
I also try to get some different varieties for a patchwork effect.

I should also tell you that i only have moss on my trees for shows, after that i take it off again and place it in an old plastic bread delivery tray on the ground in a sheltered area for re-use later.
I would rather that i had optimal water saturation during watering throughout all seasons.


Mike

I will have a few trays of moss for sale at the market day on the weekend if that helps

Mason

Bonsai at the Bay

Paint scrapers lift moss off in nice big slabs. Look around after good rain, in all the shady places.

Gavin

Whenever I walk to the bus stop or train station, I'll keep my eyes on any moss patches I could collect on my way back home.

Best spots I've found:
1. Between a house and it's surrounding walls. There's always a small gap where moss grow readily. Ask the owner for permission before you start digging!
2. At the base of large trees.
3. Crevices of concrete pavements or slabs
4. Under park benches
5. Parks
6. Nurseries especially in the indoor plant sections where they are plenty of shade and moisture. Fern and palm sections usually.

Cheers

Jack

GavinG wrote:Paint scrapers lift moss off in nice big slabs. Look around after good rain, in all the shady places.

Gavin

I'll be picking up a paint scraper ASAP
Great tip, Cheers Gavin

Ebay. Buy some,and put in blender with some milk,make a slop and paint on,leave to grow,
simple. better then spending days to find some.

Alley and Lane ways - especially cobbled ones.