Mountain Moss

Furman - Reasons for Mossy Smiles 0

A day in the life of a mosser offers many mossy smiles and such was the case on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 for me. Six months ago, Mountain Moss installed a moss feature at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. It is the First Moss Garden at a major university in the USA. It exemplifies that mosses will indeed grow under extreme conditions if the right mosses are used and a consistent watering routine is followed. The true test of success is the sustainability of the mosses featured... not only to survive but to prosper and thrive.

Skeptics have doubted that mosses can be intentionally introduced and featured in gardens, especially if located in the sun. To further challenge this moss landscaper, intense temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July 2010 seemed imposing during this 350 sq. ft. installation. Around here, people expect mosses in the mountains but they're doubtful that mosses could grow in the Upstate or Piedmont areas of the South. Yet, many of the very same mosses can be found growing in micro-niches of moisture in flatland locations.

As I entered the Furman campus, the drab winter colors were a dramatic contrast to the usual vibrant colors of the meticulously maintained landscape. Only a few purple pansies provided a welcoming winter burst of color. The expansive green lawns of warm weather grasses had transitioned to a dull, drab yellow that lasts from early December until late April. As I exited my truck, I looked across an expanse of brown catching a glimpse of bright green... the moss garden nestled in the dip. My first reason for a mossy smile.

The overall appearance is green but as I approached I could see that mosses are going through their own transitions. To the untrained eye, these differences might not even be noticed. To others unfamiliar with reproductive stages or growth patterns, it might appear as if the mosses are suffering. Although the mosses were dry from lack of recent rainfall and the interruption of my recommended watering regime due to freezing temperatures, each and every bryophyte type is exhibiting positive growth.

Remember mosses don't follow typical seasons and adjacent colonies may be in different reproductive stages during the same time frame illustrated by these Atrichum colonies.

Concerned with the drastictly dead look of the Climacium, I took a closer look and to my delight I found the understory was brilliant green with new growth thickly matted below the towering old growth gametes that are now dull green and brownish. Multiple reasons for a mossy smile.

Dicranum is the brightest green of all the mosses in contrast with a section of Leucobryum mounds so white with leaf fragments that it appears covered in a dusting of snow. This asexual stage will continue for a while as leaf tips break off and spread in the wind to new locations with the potential for creating new plants. Fragmented reasons for a mossy smile.

Getting closer to the mosses, I am delighted to see sporophytes on several types. When I touched the sporophytes on another mound of Leucobryum, to my surprise, a small cloud of spores exploded through my fingertips. I couldn't resist gently brushing the capsules a few more times to marvel at this process. Yet, another reason for a mossy smile.

The Furman University Moss Garden is truly thriving despite:

• Exposed to average daily temperatures in the 90s for the first month
• Rain water rushing through the middle section during intense downpours
• Sub-freezing temperatures
• Removal of two of the three canopy trees with the consequential disaster of sawdust covering the mosses.

My hat is off to Sheree Wright, the gardener at Furman in charge of this project. She religiously followed my recommended watering and maintenance regime. She even took off her shoes, as requested, to walk on the mosses to help them get established during the early phases. She has blown leaves away and hand-picked out annoying small weeds that have appeared. She's carefully replaced small patches that have disturbed by squirrels. She has made sure that the timed watering system continued to function with minimal interruptions to the routine. This type of care and attention is key to ensuring long-term success. Thanks Sheree... for another reason for a mossy smile.

I am aware of moss gardens that have been attempted by others that did not end in success. There could be many reasons for these failures. The assumption that mosses will grow without any supplemental actions, like appropriate watering methodology, has hampered these efforts by general landscapers that don't understand the nuances of mosses in contrived spaces. Expertise regarding required maintenance and the ability to recognize whether changes in appearance imply death, dormancy or a transitioning reproductive states is essential. So, my instruction with Sheree continues as she learns to identify and understand the differences between bryophyte types and their ever-changing looks. For instance, I pointed out that the Thuidium is going through a “yellow” stage but it will rebound back with green. In fact, this Fern moss will probably exhibit expansive, almost invasive growth during winter months. No need to worry... a mossy smile appears again.

As I photographed close-ups of various mosses, a passerby stopped to compliment the moss garden. She has always loved mosses and appreciated the various textures and shades of green. But her comment that she could, “...see that I'm a real moss artist” meant the most to me. Riding back up the mountain, my spirit was soaring with the sure success of Furman's Moss Garden. Definite reasons for lots of BIG MOSSY SMILES!

Welcome 2011 0

As 2011 begins, moss plans in motion. Surely all these baby steps will lead to giant leaps this year. Yesterday started off with email contact from a moss lover in California. It's exciting to connect with folks who have always wanted to use mosses in their landscapes. Memories from childhood or fascination with glimpses of green throughout all seasons seem to prompt this desire to treat mosses as real plants for serious consideration. Moss connections continued throughout the day. A Florida moss lover sent back glowing comments about her new moss calendar and Mood Moss Mini Terrarium necklace. While shipping a 2011 Bryophyte Calendar to another moss lover in Virginia, I ran into a Louisiana hurricane transplant. He commented on seeing a niche of bright green mosses along the high ridges of the Blue Ridge Parkway up at Sam's Knob. When I bumped into the dog catcher, he said guys were wondering when the “Moss Lady” was coming back to the animal shelter. Guess it's time for another rescue of Atrichum and Mnium from behind the kennels again. After trying to peddle a few calendars at the local bookstore, I headed home. To my delight, a professor friend from Roanoke called and we talked over an hour about potential mosses for land reclamation at rock quarries. Collaborative project in the works. Finally, I spent time in my own moss garden. The 10 inches of Christmas snow has melted already and green is once again revealed for winter pleasure. New Entodon seductrix sporophytes have appeared nestled under the fronds of Appalachian Rock Polypody fern.

So many ways to Green America with Mosses! The future is bright... and green! Go Green With Moss in 2011!

PS There's still time to order your own Moss Calendar NOW!

Mosses for Bonsai 0

Spurred by a recent question from a Bonsai enthusiast in Wilmington, NC, let's discuss this art form and how mosses can enhance these miniature landscapes that feature trees. The textures of varied mosses and shapes of mounds and green carpets underneath these tiny trees help emulate the desired effect of a natural environment. The Art of Bonsai is found world-wide today. True Bonsai creations are not dwarfs but normal trees that are trained to stay small through the expertise and patience of Bonsai gardeners. You may choose to grow Bonsai either inside your home or outside in your garden. Serious Bonsai followers spend years perfecting their art and strive to incorporate the methods of the masters.

The origin of Bonsai (pronounced bone-sigh) is cloaked in myths but it is commonly accepted that the technique began in China over a thousand years ago during the Han Dynasty. Zen Buddhist monks introduced these tree containers and diminutive landscapes to Japan where it progressed through the monasteries and became was a privilege of the rich sometime during the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333). Later the art of Bonsai was embraced and treasured by the general public. Native trees such as maples, azaleas, and pines were gathered from nearby forests as the focal features. As the art developed, these trees were manipulated with wires and skewers to fashion gnarled shapes. Ranging from a couple of inches to several feet, trees were trained to grow slowly and to keep their small size.

In America today, Bonsai continues to grow in popularity as a lifelong hobby. There are many approaches and schools of thought but true Bonsai are real trees trained to stay small not genetically-engineered dwarfs or root starts. If you purchase one of these “Bonsai” plants or dwarf trees from a garden center or nursery, it can serve as the beginning of your Bonsai adventure. However, it takes years of practice and lots of patience if you follow prescribed methods to achieve Bonsai authenticity.

Whether you are a Bonsai master or a novice, mosses will complement your tree or landscape.

The gardener's adage of right place, right plant applies in the world of Bonsai. Not every moss will work. Knowing your soil pH is critical. Base your bryophyte choice first on mosses or liverworts that like the same soil balance as your tree. Consider the expected sun exposure and whether it will be placed in the shade or sun. Mosses vary in their growth habits... some spreading like a ground cover while others grow in mounds offering options for enchanting Bonsai landscapes with rolling hills, valleys, and "mini" mountains. When your mosses sport additional colors from male cups and sporophytes, you'll know that they are “happy campers.” Sporophytes offer a spectrum of colors as do male cups, particularly Atrichum and Polytrichum cups display intense oranges and bronzes. These colorful reproductive phases offer another whole dimension to the concept of Bonsai's impressive miniature landscapes.

The key is using the right moss for the soil pH and a maintenance regime appropriate for your Bonsai tree. Since trees don't require as much moisture, just any ol' moss may not thrive. Bryum argenteum and other Bryum species as well as Ceratodon purpureus have been used on alkaline soils and tolerate dry regime better. These types can be found in sidewalk cracks or edges of parking lots in urban areas. Atrichum and Polytrichum offer a totally different appearance and texture with taller upright growth habits. The Mnium family of bryophytes with translucent leaves provides an option for more moist condition spreading more horizontally. Other “carpet” mosses that may be used are Thuidium, Ctenidium and Hypnum.

Bryum and Ceratodon are slow growers since mosses they grow upright in tight colonies with little outward expansion. They are velvet to the touch. One Bryum type stays brilliant green even during droughts. "Sidewalk" mosses will work best on alkaline soil substrate. I've known several bonsai folks that like to use "blue" moss which is Bryum argenteum. It has a silvery, blue sheen. Its common name is silver-tip moss or sidewalk moss. Mosses which grow prostrate, or “carpet” mosses, tend to be among the fastest growers. These fern-type mosses may even start to creep up the Bonsai tree trunk.

Please note that if your mosses turn brown or dry out, they may be transitioning, and in time, with watering, they could rebound back. They may not really be dead. Given patience, you may be pleasantly surprised. If you keep your Bonsai inside, you'll definitely need to mist/spritz them every day. To thrive indoors, more frequent mists may be needed due to low humidity from heat or A/C.

In June 2009, I did a workshop in Charlotte with the Bonsai Society of the Carolinas. My own Bonsai log creation is still thriving in my moss garden. However, in my moss demonstration, I used a dwarf conifer, not a real Bonsai tree, with Dicranum scoparium, Thuidium delicatulum and Atrichum angustatum mosses along with supplemental Polystichum and Appalachian Polypody ferns. Another Bonsai creation looms like a mountain featuring Leucobryum glaucum and a lichen, Cladonia crystatella. Both of these Mountain Moss interpretations include dwarf conifers as the feature trees. I have not really explored the art of Bonsai by meticulously maintaining and manipulating the trees myself. I've only snipped here or there. I would say they are just “quasi-Bonsai” in that sense. In my own moss garden, I have been nurturing several “baby” hemlocks (Tsuga sp.) and monitoring them for the killer adelgids (thankfully, no fluffy white sitings at all in past 2 years). My favorite is as authentic as the original Chinese Bonsai collected in the wild. It was found in a nearby forest growing from a decaying stump and it's now a focal point set off by dramatic black pebbles surrounding the majestic centerpiece.

In my region of the country, I would recommend a visit to The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville to explore their Bonsai collection and perhaps attend the annual Bonsai Expo. Bonsai beginners and experts can attend workshops and find an extensive selection of Bonsai trees at Randy Clark's place in Charlotte, The Bonsai Learning Center. Although not Bonsai trees, dwarf conifers and azaleas provide a pleasing alternative. Nestled in the mountains near the Forks of Ivy, Mountain Meadows Nursery, owned by Michael Balogh offers outstanding dwarf choices ranging from a minimum of 3 years to 15-year-old tiny trees.

Happy Holidays to Moss Lovers and Bonsai enthusiasts. Go Green With Moss... for Bonsai!

Photographs of Bonsai by Randy Clark, www.bonsailearningcenter.com

Photographs of Bonsai interpretations featuring dwarf trees by Annie Martin, www.mountainmoss.com

Background references for this Mountain Moss Blog posting included the following Web sites:

http://bonsaisite.com/intro1.html

http://www.celestialbonsai.com/

http://www.bonsailearningcenter.com/

http://www.ncarboretum.org/exhibits/outdoors/gardens-collections/bonsai/

http://www.mountainmeadowsdwarfconifers.com/



Snow and Freezing Temps 0

Snow and freezing temperatures signify dormancy or death to most plants BUT NOT MOSSES. Mosses grow in winter weather... not just survive but actually thrive. Most plants exhibit growth patterns between 65-85 degrees F. In contrast, bryophytes can grow in sub-zero temperatures. Add another amazing botanical characteristic to magical mosses -- they produce their own "anti-freeze" to withstand cold conditions.

Visible growth is apparent on this stump with Hypnum expanding out with new tendrils. Even when covered with snow, mosses continue their reproductive cycles. When the snow melts, sporophytes will be revealed or there will be evidence of transitional leaf fragmentation. Leucobryum is featured with snow crystals sparkling among the green mounds. To my delight, mosses offer a range of greens throughout the winter... unless under a winter white blanket of snow. With 4.5 inches of snow last night, all I can see is snow.

Moss gardeners unite! 0

Moss gardeners exist all around the world. The beauty and allure of green mosses integrated with other fungi and lichens is truly outstanding to behold. Congratulations to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens for winning the GOLD award at the International Ellerslie Flower Competition. As a moss gardener, I am pleased to post this video for y'all to enjoy. Thanks to my moss friend, Clive, in New Zealand for sharing this clip. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fungi-takes-top-honours-ellerslie-3399964/video?vid=3400042

Another moss garden has caught my attention -- the Cibodas Bryophyte Park at the Cibodas Botanic Garden in West Java, Indonesia. Thanks to my moss mentor and friend, Ken, in Tennessee, USA, for keeping me inspired. http://www.bgci.org/worldwide/news/0208/

Go Green With Moss!

Check out our upgraded Web site for lots of photos, info about moss gardening, and our new MOSS SHOP. Here's the Fall Newsletter. www.mountainmoss.com