Please keep in mind the characteristics of moss.
There are a lots of detailed knowledge online about moss.
There are three points you need to know:
1. Moss have no water-absorbing roots. It just has rhizoids, which anchoring themselves to rock, bark or soil.
2. Moss is non-vascular plants, which means it can not transport water and nutrients. They absorb water and micronutrients in the air with its whole body.
3. Moss has thin cuticle, which can not prevent water from evaporating.
The key point to raise moss: keep moist and avoid waterlog.
1. Does moss need high humidity?
Yes. In its natural habitat, moss will only grow well during the rainy season. Moss grows in shady places near water.
2. Do I need to water the moss a lot?
No. Most mosses like humid environment, but cannot be submerged in water. Use sprayer to water them, by this way it can increase humidity and avoid waterlog.
3. Does moss like high temperature (hot) environment?
No. In most Temperate and subtropical areas, the best growing season for moss is in spring. There is more rain in summer than in spring, but moss does not grow that well. Because summer is too hot for moss.
4. What is the suitable temperature for moss growth?
0°C ~ 30°C (32°F ~ 86°F)
I am in a hot southern coastal city in China (close to Hong Kong). There are lots of mountains here so in winter the temprature sometimes could drop to below 5°C (41°F). The moss grows well. There are always no problem during all the winter. But in summer days, some of them die when I am out for days.
I was asked do the moss needs heating pad in winter, and my answer is no. For the room temprature between 0°C ~ 30°C (32°F ~ 86°F), there will be no problem.
5. Which is the most difficult season for moss?
It is summer. High temprature and strong sunlight will make moss die. That is why you see lots of moss in spring than in summer thou it rains most during summer.
For moss in terrariums, please keep them out of direct sunlight during the summer months, which will cause high temperature in the glass container.
In air conditioned room , you don't need to worry about high temprature. If there is no air conditioning, please choose a cool shaded place, open the container, water more frequent and let more ventilation to cool it down.
6. Is moss suitable for an close terrarium or an open terrarium?
It depends. Some are suitable for close terrariums, while others require ventilated environments.
7. How to tell whether a kind of moss is suitable for a close terrarium?
There are lots of moss in the world. For several common mosses, there is a simple amswer yes or no. Most moss need to be tested to know if they are suitable for close container.
For exampl:
Moss suitable for close containers: Leucobryum moss
Suitable for both close and open containers: Hypnum plumaeforme Wils.
For wild moss that you collect from the wild, please test. The method of testing is very simple. Find a clear container with a lid, either plastic or glass will be ok. You can even cover it with plastic wrap if you can't do not have a lid.
Spread a layer of soil on the bottom of the container. Then put the moss in. After a week in the container, if the moss is growing well, it is suitable for an close terrarium.
Be aware that moss is likely to die for two reasons: First, overwatering. Please use a sprayer. Why using a transparent container is that you can see the water level clearly to avoid overwatering. Second, micro-organisms. That is why you need to clean and disinfect the moss you collected before putting them in the container.
8. Can I collect moss from the wild.
Yes. You can put them in container or in moist, shady place at home.
9. Do moss needs soil?
Theoretically no. But based on my experience, you do need a little soil to grow them well. when transplanting moss from the wild, shovel a little soil together with the moss. If there is soil at all, then bring some, just s thin 3mm will be enough.
10. What other planting containers suitable for growing moss?
flower pots without drainage hole, deep dishes, bowls.
11. How to Grow Moss?
It depends the condition of the moss in your hand.
If the moss is in good condition, put them directly on the soil. You can directly plant them in terrariums.
The moss projects photos of mine are usually taken 1 day to 2 weeks after they are finished. They keep that good condition for years. Moss that grows well will keep grow well.
If the moss is dry, yellow, or black, or too small piece that cannot be used in your terrarium, then it is time to grow them from the very start. I do not mean spreading moss spore (It is hard to collect enough spores to do that). You need to cut moss into small pieces, as the seeds, and plant them in the soil. It may take months for new moss grow out. I write posts for how in details.
What causes moss to die?
1. Sunshine.
2. Waterlog
3. High temperature
These will cause the moss to turn yellow and black.
Injuries caused by the sunlight usually occur in summer. The area exposed to direct sunlight will turn yellow and darken to black, .
The blackness caused by waterlog starts from the roots, spreading from bottom to top.
In summer, moss will also die due to high temperature, especially in a close terrarium.
Damage from sunlight and waterlog usually happens in some spots. The death caused by high temperature happens to all the moss in the entire container. In summer, if you need to leave for some days, please make sure the moss is kept in a cool place.
To be continued and welcome any suggestion.
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