failing with moss under lights - Orchid Board

Jeff9 · #1 12-01-2010, 05:08 PM

hi all, i started growing under lights about 5 months ago.
the plants are doing fine and some have flowered.

i bought epiweb moss mix from a dusk se retailer and put it on all of the mounts, its been on for at least 5 months now.
all i have gotten to grow so far is a few really tiny moss strands and the rest all turned into green algae.

sometimes i see people posting pictures of plants growing under light in alive, fresh sphagnum. my sphagnum just turns straight into a slimy algae compound and not a single sign of light.

some moss is growing tough, but it is scarse and i would've expected more to grow from the moss mixes.

is it too much light? temperature? humidity?

thanks

RosieC · #2 12-02-2010, 07:15 AM

Sorry I can't help Jeff. Just giving you a bump

Ray · #3 12-02-2010, 11:10 AM

I used the same mix from Dusk, spread it on moist sphagnum under about 500 fc of light, and it filled in the whole area nicely in about 6-8 weeks.

How are you keeping it moist? Over-wetting it directly might wash teh spores away.

Royal · #4 12-02-2010, 11:44 AM

Water quality could be a problem for keeping moss. Try using rainwater.

Jeff9 · #5 12-02-2010, 04:29 PM

Ray, i applied the moss mix by rubbing it straight into the epiweb, creating a thick layer.
I use a Mistking system which sprays twice a day and keeps the plants moist.

I should also note i have always used distilled water, from bottles.

Did you apply it thick/thin? Note that mine is not on sphag but straight on the epiweb, there are some strands growing but it is little, the sphag mixed into it turned green and full of algae.

However, my Den. Laevifolium is growing in a pot lower in the tank and it has been covered by a thick healthy layer of moss.

So maybe i should invest in a humidifier or something to keep the humidity high and reduce misting directly on the epiweb.

Thanks guys,
Jeff