Moss Appreciation Society

[MJL]

Cheers, Mel. Wonderful little lands in those photos. Thank you. If I ever get get on social media ... Fbook, snap, insta etc... I think instagram would be the one but I stubbornly hold off... I mean, look how much I post on this forum. I really don't need other channels!

[melbrackstone]

[Jan]

Moss can "set the scene" making a trunk look like it could belongs in a cool temperate rainforest.

moss.jpg

I appreciate mosses, know little about them, enjoy taking photos of them and collect from my area to grow in my area in the hope that will work for the moss and the trees.
I am also probably an anonymous member of the Lichen Appreciation Society, collecting rocks and other items that have been colonised and taking photos such as this growing on my Chinese Elm,

20190128 1646 Lichen.JPG

Jan

[MJL]

Ha! Thanks Jan, I think we can make it the "Moss and Lichen Appreciation Society" ... members can call themselves "Lichers". Oh, and you're not an anonymous member anymore - you're outed yourself as a "Licher" with your post!

It's interesting - I am of a school that likes (liches ) rocks, moss and other items to help create a scene that draws the viewer into the concept. (and hey, "the viewer" is generally me as I am the one looking at it most! ) I can appreciate others who prefer not to add such accoutrements and let the tree do the talking; indeed, I have one or two trees at a level where I don't add much to the scene.

On lichen. Recently, our entire family chipped in and purchased an old English Elm Bonsai for my Step-dad; it had lichen on some of the branches and absolutely adds to the perception of age. Lovely stuff.

[MJL]

I was fortunate to receive this book for Christmas. It’s quite beautifully written; intermingled stories of life - human along with flora and fauna.


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[Moss]

IMG-20210722-WA0004_resize_0.jpg

I absolutely fell in love with moss during lock in. I currently have about 20 types which I am trying to keep alive and make landscapes from. Amazing stuff on it's own.

[austindrake]

I also love moss but have yet to begin collecting... and if its not too much to ask, I would love to see all the different types you have acquired!
Is there any chance of a few pictures of the different types in your collection?

[BirchMan]

Is tap water a no-go for moss?

[melbrackstone]

Tap water works just fine with the mosses around my place.

[Moss]

Hi all, this is what I've collected so far. I tried not to take to much from the wild and just take a little from each group so they can recover. The nursery has been kind enough to let me take what's growing under the racks.

They are not looking as good as they should and I'm trying to refine how to keep them. I'm trying to replicate the environment where they where found. I got a green house from bunnings and will put them in there. I have them in free draining pots with a layer of gravel and then potting ing mix. I noticed the more healthy ones where in very moist soil and clay substrate. Shaded but plenty of light.

I think having a substrate with enough volume and water holding capacity is key.

I have avoided tap water but I would say the ones from the nursery where hosed with mains water so who knows. I have a feeling they will struggle in summer.

Work in progress anyway.

[KIRKY]

Most Moss struggle in summer. Not sure a hot house will work for moss as it prefers moist cool areas.
I find that in summer trees sitting it trays have a great covering of moss all through summer. Tap water in my area does not seem to affect it. Some mosses aren’t keen on the fluoride in tap water. The only way to know which ones don’t like it is when they die.
Also your second last photo of collected moss some of it looks like liverwort. Do not put liverwort on your trees. It forms a mat that makes trees difficult to water in summer. You will also get liverwort weeds if your trees are too wet sitting in bogey soil. Bogey soil will generally cause root rot.
Cheers
Kirky

[Moss]

Thanks for the info Kirky

There is some liverwort and lichen in there. It was not originally for bonsai. I just enjoyed making little landscapes which they are great for.

[KIRKY]

That’s fine for landscapes, just wanted to let you know not good for your trees.
Cheers
Kirky

[MJL]

Love your moss, moss. Tap water is fine on mine - in Melbourne.

Tip: if you can replicate the conditions (micro-climate) where collected a species of moss - you have a good chance of keeping it alive.


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[damienw133]

Careful with that liverwort....once its happy it can pretty easily outgrow most mosses, at least in my area
Its also pretty hard to weed it out once it gets itself established within a moss colony

Definitely one to keep an eye on juuuuust in case it goes a bit crazy