How can I grow moss? Without having to use my wife's blender...
Thanks,
Theuns from MPU RSA
Thenus,
Too bad about you can't use a blender. It's a super easy way to grow moss. However, as your wife may have told you, this method is a good way to ruin a nice blender. Here are some alternatives:
The best way to gross moss is probably to remove a small "mat" (patch) of already established moss and relocate it to a shady, humid area in your garden. If you're collecting the moss from property that is not your own, make sure you obtain the proper permission first, and then remove only a small, un-noticeable amount to get started. Carefully cut under the moss mat using a sharp knife and slowly pull it away from the soil. Put it in an airtight plastic bag with a moist paper towel until you can get it home. If you don't have access to wild moss, you can also order moss spores online, or purchase a small starter pot at a local nursery or garden center.
The first three weeks after transplanting moss are the most critical. During this time, the moss should be kept consistently moist. Some gardeners have found that spraying around the edges of moss patches with stale beer encourages it to grow and spread more rapidly.
Other do-it-yourself gardeners swear by a concoction made from 1 quart of buttermilk, 1 Tbsp. of corn syrup, 1 cup of beer and two cups of finely chopped, freshly harvested moss. You don't need a blender to do this; you can chop yours by hand and use a stiff whisk to blend all of the ingredients together. Use a paintbrush to apply a thick layer of moss soup over the surfaces you want it to grow on.
Still another method is to use a paintbrush and apply plain yogurt to the surface of your choice (wood, rocks, etc.) Then take a piece of the moss of your choice and rub it on the pot making sure to get the spore dirt on the pot.
Good Luck!
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
I use the blender method to grow moss for the faerie houses I make, but here's an alternative method. Good luck!
How To Grow Your Own Moss
First you will need a shallow box or nursery flat; two pieces of cheesecloth slightly bigger than the box; insect screening or newspaper; a good, fast-draining soil; and something called starter moss.
Starter moss
Look for moss already growing on stones, eavestroughs, roofs, or in shaded areas. (It is probably a good idea to duplicate, as closely as possible, the habitat where you find your starter moss and where you plan to transplant it.) Lift some pieces of moss and let them dry inside until crumbly. Then remove as much of the soil from the moss as you can, and pulverize the moss by rubbing between your fingers. The fine, dry moss that is left is your starter moss.
Next, cover any holes or openings in your shallow box with bits of insect screening or newspaper. If you use newspaper, cut slits in it for drainage. Fill the box with about one inch of the fast-draining soil. You can also use a prepared mix of 50% fine sand, 50% peat moss or sawdust, but if you do, soak it first with a mildly acidic solution of 1 part skim milk to 7 parts water.
Then place one piece of cheesecloth over the soil and tuck in the edges. Sprinkle the starter moss evenly over the cheesecloth, and lay the second piece of cheesecloth on top, again tucking in the edges. Water well, but make sure no pools of water are lying on the surface. Then place the box in a shaded area free from wind, and keep checking to make sure the soil is moist but not saturated. Early morning or late afternoon sun is enough for most mosses. If the white cheesecloth bothers you, you can dye it in a strong coffee solution; the cheesecloth will eventually rot away when you transplant your moss.
How to use your new moss
In about eight weeks, you will begin to see the moss growing through the cheesecloth. In another month, the moss should totally cover it. Now you can lift this "mossy sandwich" out of the box, cut it into strips and roll. It is ready to be transferred to its new home.
For the moss to adhere to a rock, you will need to prepare a growing medium. Mix equal amounts of dry clay soil and sifted peat moss with enough water to make a mixture the consistency of putty. Knead the mixture till it handles easily, then plaster it on the rock about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Then fasten the strips of starter moss to it with short bits of bent wire. And, with a little bit of luck, that's it!
Try to provide the right amount of light and water. Filtered shade, or the early or late sun, is sufficient for most mosses, although some will thrive in full sun provided there is adequate rain. If you want your moss to stay green, it is important to keep it fairly moist. If it dries out, however, a good watering should revive its fresh colour.
worldofmosses.com/
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
