I’m one one of those people who really appreciates moss, and will stop to look at it closer while on walks and hikes. I decided to show the class how to grow their own moss for gardening purposes, or moss graffiti and interventions. First you need to collect some things:
- 3 cups of moss (just moss – not whatever it was sticking to before)
- 2 cups of water or beer
- 2 cups of buttermilk (or plain yogurt)
- 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar
- Corn syrup
- Blend until smooth, add more corn syrup to make thicker if too thin (otherwise it will drip)
Then we headed to the Rutherford Conservatory on campus to spread out our concoction, for little moss interventions. The best place to put moss is on bark, concrete, rick or rock so that it can have something to grab onto.
In this post I have also included some interesting facts about moss that I shared with the class, as well as some important tips for growing your own moss. Continue reading, and enjoy !
- 12,500 species of moss, found on every continent in the world
- Oldest terrestrial plant on earth
- Mosses are tiny plants. Most mosses can reach 0.4 to 4 inches in height. Largest species are 20 inches tall.
- Mosses are usually bright green in color. Some species can be pale green (almost white), bluish-green, yellowish-green or velvety black green.
- Mosses lack root, stem and flowers- Mosses use structures called rhizoids (which look like miniature roots) to attach themselves to the ground.
- Mosses were the first plants that managed to survive on the solid ground. They evolved from algae.
- Mosses are able to absorb huge amount of water and prevent erosion of soil as a result of water runoff.
- Mosses were used as bandages during the First World War to prevent blood loss. Mosses were also used to soothe the infection since they contain chemical with anti-bacterial properties. Also used as pillow stuffing, boot insulation, and in diapers. Dried mosses were also used for heating houses in the past.
- Mosses are also very popular in gardening because they require low maintenance, tolerate periods of drought and visually improve beauty of the garden.
- Certain animals, such as reindeer, consume mosses because they contain chemical which warms the blood of animal.
- Mosses are indicators of pollution. They can grow only in clean environments.
- Moss lives near the water because male and female reproductive cells travel to each other and merge in the water.
- Lifespan of moss depends on the species. It ranges from couple to 10 years.
Here are some important tips to help you with your endeavor to grow your own moss:
- mosses can be watered daily, and even up to 6 times a day in small volumes. This consistent moisture will keep it growing year round, if the conditions are right.
- Too much volume can create soggy conditions that may cause root rot for other surrounding plants. Be sure the delivery and timing of the water moistens the moss but does not soak the soil.
- Molds, mildews and fungus can also cause problems. When temperatures rise above 75 degrees, constant moisture can cause the development of molds, mildews or fungus. These may grow on the bare soils surrounding the mosses or directly on the moss itself. If any of these problems occur, allow the area to dry out completely and resume with a lower volume application of water.
- After mosses have filled in, and have become a thick and lush growth, watering can be reduced over time and allow rain to provide for the moss’s watering needs. If you are in an area with low rainfall levels, you may need to supplement during drought. Avoid creating a wet then dry cycle multiple times a day. The effect of drying out several times a day can produce a net loss in energy production.
- HOW TO WATER MOSS: Watering using a hose and fine spray head is the most accurate method for irrigation, as well as a hand held spray bottle
- Since mosses must have sunlight in order to metabolize, the best time of day to water is early in the morning. Avoid watering your mosses close to dusk, so that they have time to accumulate net gains in their energy production.
- Mosses are evergreen plants. They will grow year round as long as moisture and sunlight are available at the same time. Photosynthesis is possible even below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Mosses do not have a seasonal growth habit, instead their dormancy comes anytime they are dry. They return to active growth as soon as moisture fills their tissue.
- Mosses can be successfully transplanted anytime of the year. The requirements for their survival are the same no matter the zone or season. The difference in care however will vary depending on what Mother Nature is doing. In general the differences in the time of year come down to moisture. If temperatures are mild then moisture retention is higher than it would be if you were experiencing 100 degree days when evaporation effects are increased. The more rainfall, the less irrigation you will have to provide
- May take 3 months to get used to new environment and thrive