Mosses: a good idea for GRR article

[FJ and G]

planted some mosses along the rocks; watering them a lot. I discovered that there are sooooooooo many shades of mosses, heights, etc. Also there are green rocks which aren't really moss (i don't think?). I'm watering these every day and also the rocks (this time mixed 2% milk and moss in blender). Also, there's a rock in my pond that turned green. Is that moss? Can I just soak the rocks in water a few months and then put them on the layout?

So many questions regarding moss. Everyone likes the look of moss; anchors down the ballast and looks pretty between the rails on little used spurs.

In sunny areas, the faux moss looks good too.

Maybe an article?

[Rene Schweitzer]

Yep, we did an article on this very subject: February 2002.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

The green gunk on the pond rocks is more than likely algae, and if you set the rock out in the sunlight to dry it will die and become brown flaky stuff!

[pimanjc]

Rene,

Feb. 2002 was before I started reading GR.  It might make a good print series to have articles discussing plants that work for Sunny, mixed light, and/or deep shade [my situation].  Who knows, there may have been some new varieties introduced that would be suitable in the 4-1/2 years since your previous article. 

Included in the article might be methods of installing, nuturing, and maintaining, as well as guides to selection based on light and temperature zone.

Thanks,

JimC.

[FJ and G]

My milk, moss solution, mixed in a blender a while back hasn't worked on my  rocks in the shade despite watering every day. It pretty much still looks like the above photo. In the above photo, I'm transplanting moss around the rocks but I wanted green rocks as well. I guess I'll just keep transplanting the moss, working my way slowly up the rocks.

[Rene Schweitzer]

JimC.,
I am forwarding your comments on to Marc Horovitz.

Rene

[ttrigg]

My milk, moss solution, mixed in a blender a while back hasn't worked on my  rocks in the shade despite watering every day.

David;
Every time I read you of your postings about the moss transplanting I get the idea that you have missed the most critical element in preparation.  You keep mentioning "milk" and "2% milk",  the element you seem to be missing is buttermilk.  Buttermilk contains a whole bunch more fats and proteins than "milk" and even more than the "2% milk".  It is these fats and proteins in buttermilk that bond the moss puree to the rocks, and give it the needed nourishment to grow.  One cup moss blended as fine as you can get it chopped up (speed 16 on my blender) add one cup buttermilk, blend until a smooth paste and apply. 

[Anonymous]

just curious tom - what does it taste like?

[Anonymous]

i have seen live yoghurt suggested as an idea instead of buttermilk - might work

[ttrigg]

i have seen live yoghurt suggested as an idea instead of buttermilk - might work

Good thought!!!!!!  Yoghurt is a living milk culture growth, most of the water has been remeoved.  Seems as though it should work well.  (p.s. since I don't like buttermilk in the first place I never tasted it.)

Enough of this got to get back to my little war.  Such fun!

[pimanjc]

JimC., I am forwarding your comments on to Marc Horovitz. Rene

 Rene,

Thanks for all the good articles on plants in the February GR. 

JimC.

[Anonymous]

I have read an article in a Kalmbach publication and i am fairly sure they said to mix the moss with yoghurt in a blender. I think the article was by jack Verducci and if it wase, everything else he has evr said has worked out.

Different subject. when i was in Greece a few years ago i saw orange and yellow moss!

Rgds ian

[ttrigg]

JimC., I am forwarding your comments on to Marc Horovitz. Rene

 Rene,

Thanks for all the good articles on plants in the February GR. 

JimC.

 

My thanks too.  Also the wife (aka Supervisor of Land Management) enjoyed them and has her own set of plans from the articles, I mean, after all she is the Gardener.