Growing moss - Orchid Board

ericst11 · #1 08-08-2010, 11:02 PM

I was woundering if anyone has messed with growing moss on mounts so to mount orchids to to keep them moist is it possible and would it work ? You'd think in nature its a common thing.If so where can you get it so you could grow it.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 08-09-2010, 02:36 AM

Yes you can, and it's hella difficult 'cause they take a while to establish and algae can out compete them.

They also like lots of moisture.

The species I grew was fast growing, but even then it took a while for it to do anything halfway significant.

RJSquirrel · #3 08-09-2010, 03:02 AM

you can and its difficult bec the moss prefers a ph of around 5.0-6.0 which is tad more on the acidic side of the the 6.0 to 7.5 ph orchids like.

you can find some moss "milkshake" which is moss seed in a jug that you mix with water and make a moss paste out of it. You try to get the moss started on a mounting or on rocks or just about anywhere and then you can have your own kind of chia orchid pet going

Ray · #4 08-09-2010, 08:23 AM

I have sold quite a few cartons of Moss Milkshake to orchid growers (most goes to terrarium folks). If you mix with beer instead of water, it actually grows faster.

It is quite effective, but takes about 6 weeks to get really established. If I have more space, I'd consider "pre-mossing" mounts for sale.

ericst11 · #5 08-09-2010, 10:18 PM

How much is it ray i want to build a terrarium for masdevallias , the cooler type and i'd like to cover the main surface with moss. i am going to have a ultrasonic humidifier going right into it so humidity won't be a problem and the ultrasonic humidifier make a cooler fog.

Call_Me_Bob · #6 08-09-2010, 10:23 PM

sorry to say this ray, because it might deter someone from buying from you. (no hard feelings?)

but, if you have moss that grows in the woods or around your house, you can put it in the blender with beer or milk, beer works better. and then use that like you would a moss milk shake

stefpix · #7 08-10-2010, 12:45 AM

I have some moss growing in some carnivorous plants pots. the ones with live moss in it look healthier.

But I need to use distilled water no fertilizer...

I wonder if the moss from the woods coming from a different climate would be compatible with the masdevallias...

I am sure there are websites about moss / moss collectors etc etc...

But maybe the one from Ray is pest free and compatible with orchids

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 08-10-2010, 01:31 AM

Websites regarding living moss and how to grow them is actually very scant.

I've looked them up before, and it took a very long time to glean any useful information from them for use in cultivation.

This actually takes quite a bit of effort to search out.

Sorry to burst anyone's bubble.

Hopefully this will not deter anyone from trying to grow living moss.

s.kallima · #9 08-10-2010, 02:30 AM

Moss is great on mounts and even on regular potted orchids. Most of my mounted orchids (miniatures) have moss growing on them, I just got some on trees around my house (there is tons here, because we have a cool climate and lots of rain... )
The species growing naturally on trees will adapt more easily on mounts... and the ones on the forest ground will do well on pots !
I also have live sphagnum moss (from carnivorous plants store) growing on Masdevallia pots filled with LECA (Hydroton) and sitting on a saucer of clear water
I find moss is easy to grow, if you have enough humidity (spray the mounts or pots at least once a day or more if dry air), and if you go slowly on the fertilizer, mosses don't like if very much...

You can also get some tropical moss from on-line terrarium supply seller (see OB sponsors, like Black jungle). They sell Java moss, which is very easy to grow in terrarium.

stefpix · #10 08-10-2010, 02:45 AM

Would you need tropical moss for warm indoor growing or local moss would adapt? after all moss is present in the hot summers too