Experimentation pays off

[missybonsai]

Hey everyone,
in the past couple of years i have been experimenting on how to keep moss moist, espescially during our stinking sydney summers. Initially i tried a small fish tank, but without holes in the bottom, it simply went mouldy and over-wet. Then i discovered a green-house box i had recieved as a present a few years ago. it purpose is to propogate cuttings. i decided to give it a go, because it had holes in the bottom, however i was sceptical as it also had holes in the lid, which i thougth would allow the moss to dry out too much. Not so:


The moss has thrived and grown faster than ive ever seen moss grow, and only with the occasional misting (perhaps every 2 months, if that)
Heres the propogation box:

Im not sure where it came from, but perhaps they would be available in a hardware/nursery centre, if you want to propogate nice moss

[Petra]

missybonsai, i have one of them boxes. ATM i have some cherry seeds in it so if they dont
come out soon, i know what ill do next. I bought mine from the Reject shop about 3 years ago.
That is a great idea,thanks for sharing.

[Watto]

Petra - I'm down to the Reject shop tomorrow! Missybonsai - thanks for the info.
Watto

[Bretts]

Nice idea Missy. Thanks

[Jester]

Hi there crazy kids!!!

I love it !! I will be doing it myself. Good one Missy!!

[alpineart]

Hi missybonsai , i like to see experiments to do with different methods, materials and plants . Would you like to give maybe 1/3 of it a trim just to see how it reacts to a haircut in this setup . I would be very interested in the results . You've done the hard yards with a very good idea , please continue . Cheers Alpineart

[missybonsai]

Thanks so much for the encouragement guys, its great

Hi missybonsai , i like to see experiments to do with different methods, materials and plants . Would you like to give maybe 1/3 of it a trim just to see how it reacts to a haircut in this setup . I would be very interested in the results . You've done the hard yards with a very good idea , please continue . Cheers Alpineart

OK, will do Aplineart, never considered trimming it, but ill let you know of the results. Anybody else with suggestions dont be shy, im happy to try them out and let you know

[alpineart]

Thanks missybonsai, i prefer to use short moss on my landscapes but never tried to trim as the summer usually dries it out and burns it off even in my greenhouse , in the shade its good but the tree's don't like it .If it rejuvenates then its an idea i will use for those pesky landscapes before displaying or for rejuvenating damaged moss .Cheers Alpine

[missybonsai]

Thanks missybonsai, i prefer to use short moss on my landscapes but never tried to trim as the summer usually dries it out and burns it off even in my greenhouse , in the shade its good but the tree's don't like it .If it rejuvenates then its an idea i will use for those pesky landscapes before displaying or for rejuvenating damaged moss .Cheers Alpine

I have trimmed the moss, no ill affects as yet. I even put the trimmings in another pot that doesnt have as much humidity and it seems to be still ok ( well its green anyway)
Hope this helps

[Andrew F]

Thank you for the tip

That moss looks luscious.

[Andrew F]

[Hornet]

very nice, i love moss. Have a few types i'm trying to grow with mixed results. What medium are you using to grow it on? I think my biggest problem is water, tap water (in most area;s) is no good for moss due to the chemicals in it. Have had good success in fish tanks with some species, just need to make sure your not flooding it and to provide some air flow.

[Andrew F]

very nice, i love moss. Have a few types i'm trying to grow with mixed results. What medium are you using to grow it on? I think my biggest problem is water, tap water (in most area;s) is no good for moss due to the chemicals in it. Have had good success in fish tanks with some species, just need to make sure your not flooding it and to provide some air flow.

Do you think, water from an aquarium water change, being de-chlorinated and full of nitrogen is a better solution to water it with???

I love aquatic moss, bit upset i could never get X-mas moss to grow though

[Hornet]

No better then tap water, if the local tap waqter is suitable it will be fine though. Rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water is best

[Andrew F]

Ok, thanks for the tip Hornet.