Lichens Kladonia and Tsetraria. Application in phytodecor. Home care.

Not everyone likes to tinker with houseplants. Not everyone has a talent for this, and the flowers perish without having time to settle down. However, without greenery, window sills look lonely, and the interior is boring. And if you share this point of view, you should figure out how to grow moss at home. It does not cause allergies, is very unpretentious, resistant to the vast majority of diseases and pests, does not require fertilizers, pruning and hilling. And with it, you can create wonderful mini-landscapes and amazing compositions.

Secrets and rules of growing moss

If you are an experienced florist and have already learned how to grow flowers, care for lawns and harvest a rich harvest of fruits in autumn, you can safely start growing moss and decorate your country decor or fence with it.

Novice designers can also grow mosses or lichens on their own, having learned the basics of caring for unusual representatives of the flora.

Where is the best place for a moss garden?

As you know, moss loves partial shade and a large amount of moisture, so before purchasing decorative species in a store or independently harvesting them in the forest, make sure that your country estate has an area that meets these requirements.

For example, it can be a small area of ​​coniferous or mixed forest with pine, spruce, larch or fir.

As a rule, branches of conifers create the necessary partial shade, and the soil contains a sufficient amount of water. If a light pine grove is located on dry sandy soil, it is not suitable for growing mosses.

The north side of a gazebo or building, where the sun comes in early in the morning or late in the evening, is also suitable for creating a velvet carpet. A small amount of ultraviolet light can be useful - under the sun's rays, the peculiar leaves change color and acquire many interesting shades.

An excellent place for the first planting of moss is garden soil. From small fragments of mossy turf, you can assemble a surprisingly beautiful lawn, shimmering in different colors.

Moss pads can be planted both under tree crowns and in open, but shaded areas - they form beautiful, unique in appearance lawns

If a boggy area accidentally remains in the country, it is moss that can become the main decorative element for decorating it. A small pond with aquatic plants is placed in the center of the site, and the banks of the reservoir and the surrounding area are decorated with the help of various types of bryophytes and lichens.

A scattering of moss-covered stones, a mossy old cracked jug, and a decorative boat, burying its nose into the soft mossy shore, harmoniously fit into such an extraordinary landscape.

Shade and moisture are not the only conditions for the successful growth of moss. Experienced florists recommend that you first study the acidity of the soil. Ideally, the pH should be between 5 and 6.5 units.

Preparation of plant material

So, we found a site for the experiment, it remains to acquire the plant itself. We will not deal with the cultivation of moss with disputes, but we will immediately find adult plants - at least in order to immediately see the result. We have two options available:

• buy several decorative types at a flower shop;
• go to the forest and get samples on your own.

The first option is good because it will be possible to purchase species of different colors and growth characteristics. However, there is no certainty that they will quickly take root on your site, so be sure to ask the seller where and in what conditions the proposed specimens were grown. Purchased moss is fertilized and treated for disease so that it becomes more comfortable after moving.

Plants from the nearby forest are likely to quickly get used to a new place of residence if it looks like a different place of growth. Where can moss be found in its natural habitat? First of all, in the nearest coniferous forest.

Choose the types that you will use: if you decide to decorate a stone, remove the pads from the stones, tree moss will decorate tree trunks, and a green carpet covering the soil is useful for decorating alpine slides and lawns

Moss thickets can also be found in the city. Visit old parks and squares, ancient architectural monuments with high stone fences, overgrown ponds - somewhere you will definitely stumble upon a thick green carpet.

Try to find as many different species as possible, differing in height, shade and growing conditions - experimenting with them, choose the most resistant plants suitable for your site

Choose mature, healthy specimens that are rich in color and density. Do not pluck the plants or cut off only the tops. It will be correct to dig in the pad from all sides and carefully separate it from the base.

Be careful not to damage the decorative top and bottom outgrowths. Gently place the collected pads (pieces of mossy turf) in a basket with a damp piece of cloth at the bottom. After filling the basket, be sure to cover the samples so that they are not exposed to direct sunlight and moisture does not evaporate ahead of time.

The nuances of the correct planting of moss

To begin with, moss planted in the fall takes on much better. You can also try spring planting, and then analyze the difference in the results obtained. Perhaps your conditions are ideal for spring work.

It is better to prepare the filling soil in advance. Make a nutritious substrate: mix equal parts black soil and peat, add a small amount of clay and expanded clay. Peat and expanded clay will help retain moisture during dry periods.

If moss is found in a forest or on the shore of a lake, take the soil from the old place of growth - it is ideal for adaptation to the new territory.

• We take a bucket, basin or other convenient container, fill it with clean (preferably spring) water and lay the collected or purchased mossy turf in layers to nourish it with moisture before planting.
• If the place chosen for planting, during your absence, is covered with leaves or overgrown with weeds, we remove all unnecessary things so that a clean, "naked" patch free of overgrowth remains.
• We simply loosen the soil suitable for its characteristics a few centimeters in depth (up to 5 cm, no more), otherwise we dig out many mini-holes and fill them with a prepared substrate or soil brought from the forest.
• We plant moss pads according to a project invented in advance - randomly, in stripes, in a checkerboard pattern. You can use pieces of the same color, collecting a monochromatic rug, or you can form patterns and ornaments using multi-colored fragments.
• For subsequent growth and renewal, it is recommended to leave small intervals between the planted islands.
• We make sure that the pieces of turf adhere tightly to the soil, leaving no air gap. However, you should not press the plants too much.
• After planting, the fresh lawn must be watered, and in the future, make sure that the humidity is at the required level.

As you can see, the landing rules are pretty simple. Let's look at a few more features.

When planting moss on an alpine slide, additional initial fixation will be required so that pieces of turf do not peel down. To fix them on the slope, simply stick in thin sticks (toothpicks are also suitable) or pieces of wire. Later, when the moss grows, they can be removed.

On old stumps, only those specimens that were removed from a similar surface - rotting wood - will "nest" well.

On the contrary, if you find a beautiful spectacular specimen on a rotten stump in the forest and want to decorate a summer cottage with it, you will have to get an old stump, a dumped log or a piece of wood with traces of decay

Sometimes a flat mossy surface looks dull and monotonous. To liven up the composition, we use partner plants. Residents of coniferous forests are suitable:

• ferns;
• horsetails;
• berries (lingonberry, blueberry, strawberry, blueberry);
• short flowers (for example, violets);
• any kind of lichens, including lichen.

These tips are good for a mossy lawn, but for now let's take a look at how to grow moss on rocks. This will require a mixture of pieces of moss, water and forest soil. The listed components are mixed in a blender and then applied to the surface of the stone.

The first time you need additional care. You can cover the stone with foil for several days, arranging a short airing from time to time.

A stone scattering looks beautiful and laconic against the background of a green carpet, but it is better to pick up not bright granite fragments, but ordinary gray cobblestones

Sometimes a bio-based mixture is prepared. A little sugar, kefir, water are added to the mossy turf, beat and smear the stone with a sticky mass. The products fix the plant particles and act as a nutrient mixture.

Instead of kefir, you can use yogurt or beer, instead of sugar - any sweet syrup. This method is used to decorate not only stones, but also stone fences, brick buildings, wooden fences.

With good growth of moss on concrete, stone and wood surfaces, you can create graffiti, ornaments and "living" drawings from its fragments

What do you need

• Shovel or scoop
• Putty knife
• Blender
• Water
• Buttermilk

Article Information

Categories: Gardens and vegetable gardens

In other languages:

English: Grow Moss, Español: cultivar musgo, Italiano: Far Crescere il Muschio, Deutsch: Moos anpflanzen, Português: Cultivar Musgo, 中文: 种植 苔藓, Nederlands: Mos als bodembedekker toepassen, Čeština: Jak pěstovat Indonesia: Jak pěstovat Indonesia , Français: faire pousser de la mousse, 日本語: コ ケ の 栽培, Tiếng Việt: Trồng rêu, العربية: زراعة الطحالب

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How to grow moss at home? Just don't ask why. And don't say that he grows well on the street. On the street - it's not in a pot on the windowsill.

Grow it first in a large, circular aquarium with appropriate surroundings. Admire. Then we'll see why or go crazy, give two!

Moreover, where it grows, let it be there. And at home, you still need to work hard to grow this. Strict points on humidity and the amount of light will not allow you to shove a piece of moss from the forest into a jar and sit, waiting for a beautiful picture.

So. We plant moss at home. Stop. How do we plant? Neither species has roots or seeds. How will we propagate? By disputes, as in nature. And where can I get them? Not to wander with a microscope in search.

In fact, everything is simple. Go for a walk. We don't go to the forest. Forest moss that grows on trees is very aggressive and shaggy. Instead of an alpine idyll, you will get the count's ruins after the bombing. We need a moss that grows on stones, snags, old walls. Even just from the shaded side of buildings.

We pinch ourselves a little. You can just remove the plate. Who writes there: be careful not to damage the roots? You should have a bonus. Nobel Prize. Still, for the first time in millions of years, roots were found on moss!

And we calmly stomp home.By the way, in nature, the ripening time for spores is approximately July and August.

how to germinate wheat at home

How to care for mossy lawns?

Like any lawn, flower bed or, bryozoan requires regular maintenance, which consists in moisturizing, thinning, updating and basic cleaning. Moss grows rather slowly: the first young pads will appear no earlier than 4-5 weeks after planting. They will appear near parent nests on all sides or in one direction that is most favorable for growth.

At this stage, you should adjust the size of the "rug" if you need it to be within a strictly limited framework. Until young shoots have grown, plantings should be kept moist.

It so happens that the plants do not take root and die. Not scary: pick up a different species and drop off in the same place. Sometimes moss dries up due to lack of moisture or strong exposure to sunlight. Perhaps abundant watering will revive dried plants.

Unlike a traditional lawn, bryozoans do not need to be mowed regularly. However, you need to keep it clean. Forest debris will not only spoil the aesthetics of the decorative coating, but will also cause the death of moss or the appearance of ugly bald patches.

It is very simple to protect the velvet rug from autumn leaf fall: spread a fine mesh over the area of ​​the entire lawn, and then simply roll it along with the leaves.

The use of sphagnum in other industries

As mentioned above, the properties of moss make it useful for medicinal purposes. During the Great Patriotic War, it was used instead of cotton wool, applied to wounds and burns. He not only stopped blood and drained pus, but also promoted healing.

Dried moss is also successfully used in the construction of wooden buildings. It is used as a cushion for logs. This makes it possible to keep warm in the room and get rid of pests that often "occupy" the wood.

Dry sphagnum for insulating log buildings.

Beekeepers make insulation for hives from pressed dry sphagnum. And the bottom is lined with live moss for disinfection. In animal husbandry, sphagnum moss has also found application. It is used as bedding for small rodents or as litter for the toilet.

To save yourself the hassle of collecting, you can purchase it in specialized stores or order it online. The cost will depend on the weight of the product. So, a 70 gram bag of sphagnum will cost you 80 - 100 rubles. Bulk bags of 50 - 100 liters cost from 1000 to 2500 rubles. Suppliers usually give good discounts to wholesale buyers.

Popular types of moss for country design

Soft green round, slightly convex pads are formed by Leucobrius moss.

Plants of the genus Leucobryum thrive and thrive in the shade, on moist sandy soils, although a small amount of sunlight will not harm them either.

Hypnum moss is used to decorate stone or concrete paths, patios or low fences. Previously, it was it in dried form that was used to insulate wooden huts.

The genus Hypnum thrives on rocky, woody and brick surfaces, although it is often used to create lawns.

All mushroom pickers are familiar with Kukushkin flax - small vertically elongated plant-columns. This is an ordinary polytrichum, a striking representative of Japanese moss gardens.

Plants of the genus Polytrichum commune prefer moist forest soil or wetlands. In favorable conditions, the plant reaches a height of 35-40 cm

Dikranum green moss is a real find for decorating stones and concrete fences.

Small rounded pads of a bright green shade are small in height - up to 4 cm, so they perfectly hold on vertical surfaces

Fern moss creates dense picturesque thickets and outwardly with its carved leaves really resembles a fern.

Thuidium simply adores shady areas of the garden and loneliness, so beware of composing with this moss and other plants that it will definitely survive.

Sphagnum is often used in indoor floriculture and for growing ornamental plants in the garden. The stems of the plant are added to the flower soil to make it looser and softer.

Peat moss has a variety of vibrant hues, ranging from pinkish red to deep green. The best places for its growth are the banks of streams, artificial ponds and natural reservoirs.

As you can see, growing moss is not that difficult. Its cultivation does not require financial costs, and the benefits are incomparable: even in the dull period of the off-season, evergreen rugs will delight you with the brightness of colors.

Moss is a creeping (less often erect plant) without roots and flowers

... Grows in damp places:

• wet ground;
• rotting tree trunks;
• stones by the water.

The etymology of the word "moss" comes from the Greek "sphagnum", i.e. "sponge". According to the scheme of action, this plant really looks like a sponge. It can absorb up to 20 times its own weight in water! Then gradually moisture is given to those plants that grow on moss. It would seem that there is nothing better for orchids that love high humidity.

Moss functions:

• active water absorption;
• maintaining moisture for several days;
• uniform moisture (moss covers it completely);
• protection of plant roots from decay (thanks to the sphagnol substance contained in moss, which has antibacterial properties).

Moss is used in the cultivation of orchids for a variety of purposes.

... It can be used like:

1. Independent substrate.
2. A useful supplement.

It is used for the following purposes:

Sphagnum moss in floriculture: properties and application

Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum) is a perennial, which also has another name - peat moss. Moss grows in swampy areas, forms vast areas - sphagnum bogs. In Russia and Ukraine, there are about 40 species of sphagnum, while more than 300 are known in the world. Habitat - tundra, forest or mountainous area, much less common on the plains. The plant has underdeveloped roots, so over time they die off and are converted into peat. The upper part continues to grow and develop. When dry, sphagnum can absorb a lot of moisture - 20 times its own weight. It was thanks to this opportunity that it got its name ("sphagnos" in translation from Greek means "sponge"). The plant has a light green (light green) hue, when dry it becomes almost white. Hence another name - white moss.

Pros and cons

So, using moss wisely can help with many problems. The pluses include:

• long-term preservation of humidity (even if your home is hot and dry);
• irreplaceable aid in the growth of young or weakened plants;
• disinfecting properties (orchids with sphagnum moss in a pot are less likely to get sick);
• aesthetic appearance: the moss on the surface of the pot (especially if it is alive) looks very beautiful, but a block with a blooming orchid and lush green moss in general, at the first glance, can take you to the tropics.

But among inexperienced growers, a plant covered with moss often dies.

... There are some disadvantages:

• it is easy to "overdo it" with moss, laying it in a dense thick layer, you are almost guaranteed to block access to the roots and destroy the plant;
• moss in a pot contributes to root rot, correct watering with moss is more difficult to calculate;
• if the moss was improperly harvested, pests will start in it, which will quickly destroy your orchid;
• moss can cause the soil to become salted, and algae can form on it.

ATTENTION

: If you are just starting to grow orchids, it is best to take regular phalaenopsis and train on them and pine or pine bark, without any moss. Only when you learn how to water properly on a "clean" substrate can you start experimenting with moss.

Whether a plant takes root in moss or not depends on many factors:

• watering frequency;
• humidity;
• temperature of a specific irrigation.

Sphagnum properties

A glade of sphagnum moss in a forest area.

Sphagnum moss is often used by flower growers. It is used as a component for soil, as well as in an independent form for rooting cuttings or planting epiphytic plants, for example, orchids. There are three main properties of the plant:

• perfectly absorbs water;
• passes oxygen;
• not susceptible to contamination by bacteria.

The hygroscopicity is due to the structure of the plant. Stems and leaves of sphagnum consist of hollow cells, a kind of reservoirs into which water is absorbed. The hygroscopicity of sphagnum is 6 times higher than that of cotton wool. In addition, moisture is evenly distributed in it. This suggests that the use of moss in the composition of the planting soil will maintain a constant and uniform level of moisture.

A pot of gardenia in sphagnum.

Air permeability is achieved thanks to the same reservoir cells. Soil mixtures, which contain sphagnum, are light and loose, which has a beneficial effect on the health of the plant's root system.

Scientists working in the field of bryology (the science that studies mosses) have proven that sphagnum moss is completely immune to disease. It has disinfectant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sphagnum contains antibiotics, bactericides and coumarins. All these substances are natural antiseptics and are used in the medical industry. And use in floriculture allows you to forget about rotting cuttings during reproduction.

Another important property of sphagnum for indoor plants is the ability to acidify the soil - this prevents the multiplication of various kinds of bacteria. For some flowers, such as violets, this feature is irreplaceable. Indeed, it is in acidic soil that they bloom more abundantly and longer.

Varieties

The most common moss is sphagnum.

... It grows mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, in the South it can only be found in the mountains. Most often, sphagnum is found in coniferous forests, on slightly marshy soils and outright swamps. A large mass appears in raised bogs - there it covers the entire surface like a pillow. From a distance, it looks like a luxurious green carpet, which inexperienced tourists are often deceived by.

It is curious that high moor peat is subsequently formed from the dead sphagnum - it is also an irreplaceable component of the substrate, only for terrestrial, and not epiphytic orchids.

Sphagnum is a soft, thin stems, it is delicate to the touch

... Because of its color, this moss is sometimes called "white". The leaves are needle-like, sticking out in all directions. The dead parts of the plant contain a lot of water.

When collected, this moss is extremely easy to remove. It is used for orchids and as a substrate, and as a cover for soil and even as a disinfectant. Its disinfecting, antibacterial properties are so great that they are even used in medicine!

Yagel, as it is also called, Icelandic or deer moss, contrary to its name, grows in a wide variety of climatic regions, from warm and to the polar tundra. It is a type of lichen that covers the ground. It is very dense and gray in color.

Yagel is a great option for those who are wondering how to replace sphagnum

when not growing nearby. After all, this moss can be collected independently or bought - most often lichen is sold in phytodesign stores. Healing tea is also made from it, so you can look for Icelandic moss in medicinal herbs.The disadvantage of reindeer lichen is that it is brittle and easily crumbles. But some growers still use it as drainage inside other, softer moss.

Kukushkin flax, or, as it is also called, forest moss, grows abundantly in the forest, in clearings and around tree trunks. It often alternates with sphagnum, so that two types of moss can be collected from one glade at once. The upper part of it is green, and the lower part is brown, it vaguely resembles a branch of a juniper. It differs favorably from the two previous varieties of moss in that:

• does not crumble when dry;
• does not retain moisture for a long time;
• pests are immediately visible in it, they are easy to remove.

Kukushkin flax is used as the main substrate or as an addition to it

... It is irreplaceable when growing plants on a block and equitants: they will not rot, and besides, the moss will not crumble quickly.

Sphagnum moss is indispensable for growing flowers

Late autumn is the best time to harvest sphagnum, since the moss at this time is the longest that has grown over the summer. How to use it in home floriculture?

How to collect sphagnum?

To collect sphagnum moss, you need to pry off the turf with a pitchfork and put it in rice bags. Next, we dry the extracted sphagnum in the open air and sort it out. It can be stored dry for many years.

Additive to the substrate

Fresh moss has an acidic reaction (pH 4), which favorably affects the growth of lovers of acidic soil - azalea, gardenia, zantedesky... Moss significantly increases the moisture content of the substrate, this is due to the presence of hyaline (aquifer) cells. One part of dry moss absorbs up to 20 parts of water - four times more than absorbent cotton wool. When dry, these cells are filled with air, sphagnum brightens, therefore it is often called white moss. I definitely add it to the substrate for aroid, gesneriaceae, ferns, begonias, arrowroots, orchids, bromeliads.

I soak the moss in warm (45 ° C) water, while insects, ants and snails emerge. I drain the water, squeeze the moss, for aroid I cut coarsely with scissors, for violets - I dry and grind. They can partially replace peat. But as an additive to the substrate, sphagnum is not suitable for all plants. For example, citrus fruits do not like light and acidic soil, and cacti and succulents are afraid of a moisture-intensive substrate.

Mulching

In pots with indoor plants in the upper layers of the soil, when moisture evaporates from its surface, calcium and magnesium salts, toxic to plants, are deposited. Over time, salinization of the substrate occurs, which inhibits plant growth. To prevent salinity, the surface of the substrate can be mulched with a layer of sphagnum approximately 0.5-0.7 cm thick. Once a year, the sphagnum with deposited salts is replaced. In this case, the plant does longer without transplanting. I make sure to mulch non-salt tolerant plants such as anthuriums, orchids, ferns, bromeliads... In addition, it protects against the rapid drying out of the root ball.

Epiphytic blocks

This is a fashionable trend in interior phytodesign. We put a frame made of bamboo or a rigid plastic mesh with a hook for hanging on a "pancake" made of sphagnum, pour in the middle an epiphytic substrate made of bark, pieces of peat, old mullein, coal, leaf or coniferous soil. We wrap the block in sphagnum and wrap it with thin fishing line. We make hairpins from thick wire and attach epiphytic plants to the block. You can use nylon thread, a natural twine, which is removed when the plants are firmly attached to the roots of the block.

So you can grow small orchids, bromeliads, epiphytic cacti, small-leaved hoi and peperomias... Water the block by immersion in water. As soon as it is saturated, let the excess water drain and hang it in a permanent place. Of course, this is a laborious process, but this type of landscaping will certainly decorate a window or a large florarium.

Storing tubers

Sphagnum mosses have long been known as a dressing agent, because they contain a unique phenol-like substance, sphagnol, which has bactericidal properties. This property helps to keep the tubers of plants with a full dormant period in winter - caladium, amorphophallus, sauromatum, zantedeschia etc. We wrap the dried tubers in dry moss, place them in jars, for example, from under coffee, and store in the refrigerator until spring.

Rooting by air layers

A large shoot can be rooted directly on the plant, keeping the number of leaves on it as much as possible. To do this, on a branch citrus, ficus or on the trunk dracaena, dieffenbachy make circular cuts in a circle, remove the bark ring 1 cm wide and dust with a root former. We wrap it with wet moss and plastic wrap, tightly tying the ends with soft wire. As it dries, we moisten the moss, I use a syringe with water for this - I pierce the film with a needle and inject water into the moss. When the roots become visible through the film, cut off the layers and plant them, removing the film.

Rooting by air layers

Rooting cuttings of indoor plants

We cut the plastic bottle across, without cutting to the end about 2 cm. At the bottom we put drainage - finely crumbled foam plastic, it has low thermal conductivity and moisture capacity, therefore, more expanded clay is suitable for a greenhouse. Rooting substrate consists of sphagnum and baking powder (2: 1). As the latter - pieces of coal, small expanded clay, pine bark, individually or in a mixture. Cut the stalk at an angle of 45 degrees, sprinkle the cut with crushed activated carbon. Remove the lower leaves, shorten the middle ones by half. We place the end of the cutting into the substrate and close the bottle, fastening the halves with tape. We put the greenhouse in a bright place without direct sunlight and make sure that the moss is not waterlogged, otherwise the stalk may rot. When the roots appear, we open the greenhouse and plant the plant directly with a sphagnum ball.

Barrel wrapping

Take for example anthurium - over time, the stem of it stretches, and the plant blooms worse at the same time. Try wrapping the trunk in moss, securing it with green cotton thread. When watering, the sphagnum will be moistened, while the adventitious roots will not dry out in dry room conditions. Receiving additional food, anthurium will show itself in all its glory.

Collect or Buy?

If we are talking about ordinary sphagnum, it is better to collect it. It grows abundantly in the forest. Having collected it yourself, you will be sure of the quality of the product, that it is free of pests, and also save a little. The same goes for cuckoo flax. But you will have to look for reindeer lichen, it does not grow everywhere. So, in order not to run through the forest in vain, it is better to purchase it.

IMPORTANT

: When cutting moss, do not touch the bottom of the plant, you can only pluck the top. Otherwise, new shoots will have nothing to form from, and next year you will find a black spot on the site of a mossy clearing.

It is not difficult to buy moss for orchids: almost all flower shops provide this service.

... You can order exotic moss from the homeland of orchids on the Internet, it will come to you packed in special bags.

When harvesting moss, it is worth remembering that various harmful microorganisms reproduce well in it. If you just collect it in the forest and put it in a pot, then soon bugs, pests and even possibly snails will appear there. So, after collecting the moss, be sure to process it. Rinse thoroughly with boiling water, disassemble into separate branches. Then you can apply one of the processing methods:

If sunny weather is not expected, it is raining outside, then the moss can be collected in small bunches and hung to dry on a rope. And here it is better not to dry the moss in the oven or a special drying machine

: so it will not dry out to the end.

How sphagnum is used in floriculture

Moss is used to create mixtures of earth for both domestic plants, which simply need high humidity, and for others. For example, it is recommended to use it in the composition of soil mixtures for flowers such as: begonia, dracaena, sansevieria, streptocarpus, saintpaulia, dieffenbachia, azalea, monstera, as well as fat woman. However, these are not all plants that react very positively to the content of even a small amount of sphagnum in the soil.

Also, this moss is widely used for rooting cuttings. So, those who are engaged in breeding violets will root the leaves, as a rule, exclusively with the help of the most unique sphagnum moss.

Those flower growers who live in the Northern Hemisphere have the ability to independently harvest sphagnum. It grows in sphagnum bogs, which are also called white shanks. It can be stored for quite a long time, and this moss is perfectly propagated and grown. The same growers. who live in warm regions, you can purchase this moss in specialized stores or order on the Internet.

How to use sphagnum?

Let's talk about the rules for planting orchids in substrates with the addition of moss:

1. As an additive, moss can be placed in the pot in cases where the top of the soil dries quickly and you see that the roots on the surface are drying out. If the flower grows in a basket, it is worth covering it with moss on all sides. Stick to the following rules:
   moss should not be placed close to the neck of the orchid and tamped tightly - this leads to decay;
2. the thickness of the moss should not exceed 3-4 cm.
3. The crushed moss is added to the interior of the substrate. In this case, it must first be treated with mineral fertilizer, for example, "Kemira Lux". Then the sphagnum is crushed and added to the mixture. For example, such a composition: chapped moss, crushed fern leaves, pieces of bark, crushed charcoal. This mixture is poured under the roots, not placed on top.
4. You can make the mixture a little differently: the moss and bark are stacked in layers in the pot. The bottom layer is the bark (in more detail about what kind of bark can be used for orchids and how you can prepare it yourself, find out).
5. Experienced growers grow the plant in the moss. In this case, an orchid is set in polka dots, the gaps between the roots are loosely filled with moss. The bottom is required.

You can find out more about the optimal composition of soil for orchids and how to prepare it yourself.

TIP

: If the moss is too dry, it will be inconvenient to work with. Its scales fly into eyes, nose and clothes. It can be moistened with a spray bottle. Or, the night before use, put the required amount of moss in a plastic bag, pour a small amount of water there and tie the bag. By morning, the moss will gain the necessary elasticity.

Watch a video on the use of sphagnum moss for orchids:

Sometimes a green bloom appears in the orchid pot (usually from May to August)

... This plaque is nothing more than self-growing moss or algae. By themselves, they do not pose a danger to the flower. But the appearance of green moss or algae in the pot signals that it is too damp in the pot: they need dampness and warmth to develop.

In addition to over-watering, this can happen when the pot is too large or the substrate is caked. In this situation, the orchid needs to be transplanted:

1. rinse and dry the roots;
2. take a new substrate;
3. Rinse the pot with alcohol and dry.

Watering after transplanting is reduced.

Sphagnum moss. Application and method of growing

Many flower growers know firsthand what sphagnum is. In practice, it is a moss that converts to peat over time. That is why sphagnum is often called peat moss. Like most crops of this species, sphagnum grows in moist soils, where the area is subsequently swamped.In horticulture and floriculture, its popularity is due precisely to this property, because this type of moss very actively absorbs and retains moisture.
The main halo of distribution for sphagnum, these are regions of the northern hemisphere with a cold and temperate climate.

Dry peat moss is an excellent component for soil mixtures for many plants. It is especially often used in the cultivation of phalaenopsis and orchids. However, this is not its only economic application. So, due to its low thermal conductivity, sphagnum is actively used for the manufacture of insulating materials.

By the way, even today, northern peoples often use peat moss to make baby diapers, which allow them to keep warm even in the most severe frosts. Found its application sphagnum and in the production of medicines and food. It should be noted, though, that this practice is not widespread.

Usage problems

The most common problem is soil salinization.

... The sphagnum takes a lot of water and quickly evaporates it from the surface - because of this, a problem occurs even with distilled water. The problem will be visible to the eye, moreover, the leaves of the orchid will turn yellow. Salinization of moss can also occur on the block. In this situation, the moss needs to be changed (sometimes the plant must be completely transplanted). Orchid leaves are washed with liquid fertilizer.

TIP

: Line moss with palm or coconut fiber. Salts are less deposited on it and algae grow.

Sometimes a plant with moss does not take root in any way.

... In this case, it can be replaced with the same coconut fiber. Some for the same purposes use the most common wet wipes (but the risk of decay is even greater) or dry small clay balls.

Sphagnum moss - what is it?

The habitat of this type of moss is the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, it is extremely rare and mostly only high in the mountains. However, there were cases that sphagnum was found in flat areas, but this is a huge rarity.

In the North, industrial extraction of this most valuable moss has been organized. And it is used in a variety of areas, for example, for thermal insulation during the construction of buildings, as well as in the production of medicines and perfumes. Due to the fact that sphagnum has a rather light color, it is also called white moss.

Features of growing bryophytes

Growing such an unusual plant is not difficult at all. And leaving does not represent any special time and financial costs. For these purposes, you can take any container that is at hand.

So, the container chosen for planting is covered with small pebbles at the bottom. It is better to take pebbles or expanded clay, no larger than peas. Thanks to such a drainage layer, stagnation can be prevented and aeration can be increased.

Next, granular coal is taken, lined with a second ball on top of the stones. The last layer is a special substrate, which is sold at specialized points of sale. You can also take a common potting soil for indoor plants.

Next, carefully lower the moss onto the soil substrate prepared in advance and irrigated with water. After planting in the first few days, daily hydration of the plant is recommended. After a while, when adaptation takes place, the active phase of moss growth will begin.

Sphagnum moss

Often, for the preparation of earthen mixtures for planting indoor plants, sphagnum moss is simply needed. But a huge number of flower growers have no idea what it is, and there are practically no special explanations about this "ingredient" of soil mixtures. However, this moss is simply unique and has many benefits that everyone should know about.

Basic requirements for caring for bryophyte

Irrigation is carried out focusing on the soil layer. If it dries up, you need to moisturize. Moss doesn't like excess liquid.If its color becomes much darker, it is recommended to reduce the amount and frequency of irrigation.

By the way, such a plant can be irrigated from a small watering can or by drilling holes in the lid of a plastic bottle. The optimal interval between humidification after the end of the adaptation period is once every three to five days.

Tiny mossy pads like cool air, increased humidity, and partial lighting. They do not tolerate direct sunlight. It is recommended to install a container with such a plant in a semi-dark corridor, near the aquarium.

This plant is perfect for the office. Bryophyte needs only two hours of indirect sunlight per day for normal growth and development. Thanks to the right lighting, their emerald hue takes on an even richer color.

Advice

• When planting moss, try placing a board or other hard object on top and applying pressure. This will allow the moss to bond better to the soil.
• Because moss gets its nutrients from the air rather than the soil, it is easy to care for. He does not need feeding or fertilization.
• After planting or replanting moss, keep the area moisturized constantly. Water it by hand or install an automatic sprayer. A water reservoir (for example, a decorative pond) located on the site will also help maintain a high level of humidity.

Create compositions

Small pads of moss will perfectly complement the surface of a tree or large pebbles. You can fix it using thin fishing line or nylon thread, or simply grow a layer of moss on the surface of the pebbles. To do this, sprinkle a small amount of soil and fix the moss between the stones.

As a fertilizer for moss, not quite standard products are used - beer and kefir. You can mix these ingredients with a mixer or blender, add them every few days.

Thanks to such an unusual feeding, the plant will receive all the necessary positive vitamins, micro and macro elements, with the help of which its growth will be enhanced. Irrigation should be carried out no more than three times during the week.

Thanks to such tiny unusual plants, you can create unusual living collages with your own hands, with the help of which each apartment will become unusual.

And if you mix several varieties of bryophytes at the same time on one surface, after their combination and growth, you can get an amazing composition of different shades and colors - from red to bright emerald.

With the right approach to choosing, planting, caring for moss, you can easily grow such an original plant at home, which will become a real highlight among other indoor plants.

Growing and caring for Queen Victoria agave at home Japanese azalea caring for and growing at home Caring for and growing arabica coffee at home

Not everyone likes to tinker with houseplants. Not everyone has a talent for this, and the flowers perish without having time to settle down. However, without greenery, window sills look lonely, and the interior is boring. And if you share this point of view, you should figure out how to grow moss at home. It does not cause allergies, is very unpretentious, resistant to the vast majority of diseases and pests, does not require fertilizers, pruning and hilling. And with it, you can create wonderful mini-landscapes and amazing compositions.

Ways to use sphagnum for indoor plants

Not all growers know for certain what sphagnum moss is used for when growing indoor plants. Useful properties of moss make it possible to use it for various purposes in indoor floriculture:

• Adding to soil mixtures when growing plants. Moss improves soil structure. Gives it lightness, breathability and moisture capacity.Sphagnum absorbs excess moisture, preventing the roots from being in wet soil. The same property saves the roots from drying out. Moisture is gradually absorbed by the roots as needed. But it is impossible to add moss to the soil in an amount of more than 10%, since it increases the acidity of the substrate. Although this quality is indispensable for growing azaleas and violets, since these plants require soil with high acidity.
• Covering the flowerpot to keep the air humid. When growing plants that require high humidity, moss is placed around the surface of the pot. When watering sphagnum, the water begins to evaporate, giving moisture to the crown of the plant.
• Mulching the soil surface. It is not worth keeping the moss on the surface of the soil in a pot constantly, since in this case high humidity is created under it and the roots can rot. But if the owners need to leave for 7-10 days, the moss will help retain moisture in the soil. After arrival, it must be removed from the pot.

Sphagnum is laid on the surface of an earthen coma to retain moisture.

• Rooting of leaves and cuttings. Due to its bactericidal properties, moss prevents rotting of cuttings and leaves of plants during their reproduction. The most effective use of sphagnum in the propagation of plants by air layers. For rooting, a cutting, leaf or air layer is placed in a mixture of moistened moss and soil in a 1: 1 ratio and placed on a pallet. When transplanting plants rooted in this way, moss is added to the soil in a ratio of 1: 3. This rooting method is recommended for violets when grown from a leaf and for orchids when forcing. Do not use moss when rooting succulents!
• Germination of small seeds. The seeds of some crops need access to light for germination. Therefore, it is recommended to distribute them over the soil surface and not cover them from above. But with such sowing, the seeds often dry out without sprouting. If small seeds are placed on moistened moss and covered with foil. Germination takes place without problems. Sphagnum lightly envelops the seeds, preventing them from drying out and at the same time providing them with access to light.
• Covering of plant trunks with aerial roots. It is effective to use sphagnum for wrapping the aerial roots of an orchid. Thus, a truly tropical environment creates this whimsical flower.
• Storage of bulbs and tubers. The use of sphagnum for wrapping tubers and bulbs of thermophilic flowers dug from open ground avoids their rotting and drying out. Moss not only retains the necessary moisture in the bulbs and tubers, but also has an antiseptic effect. Tubers and bulbs stored in sphagnum are not affected by mold and gray rot and survive safely until the spring planting.

Sphagnum is often used to cover the aerial roots of orchids.

How to grow moss at home: fundamental principles

Before you start breeding mosses, you need to understand for yourself their needs and requirements. First, mosses growing on trees will not survive on rock or soil, and vice versa. So you need to settle the brought "shred" on a suitable basis.

Secondly, mosses need diffused and indirect light. If the sun only illuminates them in the morning or evening, the mosses will delight you with a bright color. But the midday rays will make the moss pale, dull, and can completely destroy it.

Thirdly, the source of the planting material is important. Before wondering how to grow moss at home, ask specialty stores if they sell it. So you will definitely be engaged in healthy specimens and will not infect the plants at home with anything. If there is no moss for sale, go to the forest. Just remember clearly what came from, and remove the moss with a layer of turf.

Useful properties of sphagnum for indoor plants

Sphagnum moss has three qualities that are indispensable for flowers, grown at home:

• Air permeability. When sphagnum is added, the substrate becomes as loose as possible.
• Hygroscopicity... Moss absorbs a large amount of moisture and gives it to the soil gradually. As a result, the earthen ball is always moist, but not wet.
• Antibacterial properties. Moss contains a substance called sphagnol, which disinfects the soil. If it is present in the soil mixture, the root system is protected from rotting and the development of fungus.

Sphagnum has excellent antibacterial properties

Reference. Moss can be used green and dried. After drying, all the beneficial properties of the plant are preserved.

Landing

It must be taken as seriously as possible, since it is unrealistic to grow moss at home, which was initially incorrectly placed. Any vessel can be taken under the plantation. But it will look most impressive in a glass bowl, a rounded vase or a spherical aquarium. In addition, in such containers it is easier to create and maintain the desired microclimate.

To make the moss feel comfortable at home, small expanded clay or washed pebbles are poured onto the bottom of the dish. Charcoal-granulate is placed on top of the drainage, and the substrate is already placed on it. As the soil, take the one that is intended for epiphytes and marsh plants, then the mosses will settle down faster. A landscape is formed on the ground and moss is laid out, with a light pressure from above. After the formation of the landscape, it is poured abundantly with water to stimulate survival.

Collection and storage

The harvesting of sphagnum moss falls on the period from April to October. But here, too, there are some nuances. For example, harvesting in early spring can be complicated by the presence of melt water in areas where moss grows, in July - by blood-sucking insects. A rainy October can also thwart all plans. Therefore, the best time, according to experts, is August or September. Especially if the weather is right - dry and warm.

Moss is collected in two ways:

• completely extracted, even the root - get more, but be prepared to spend time on a thorough cleaning;
• the upper part is cut with a knife - the mass is less, but the moss is cleaner.

When hiking for sphagnum, you must have rubber boots, gloves and plastic bags. Just in case, you can take a bactericidal plaster with you, since when working with a knife, cuts on your hands are not excluded.

Freshly harvested sphagnum without roots.

If you need live moss, it is best to spread it out in the shade, spreading it evenly over the surface. Let the wind dry the sphagnum a little - it should be wet, but not wet! In order for all the useful properties to be preserved, you need to store the moss in plastic bags in a cold room, you can even in the cold. When needed, he is brought into a warm room, and he comes to life.

Sphagnum moss also grows at home. To grow it yourself, you need to cut off the green part and place it in a tray with damp peat. Be sure to water every day.

Care

The moss composition does not require special attention. But only after the “greens” have taken root. Therefore, the main subtlety of how to grow sphagnum moss at home is to provide it with abundant moisture at first, and then maintain it at a constant average level. For a week or two, the pads should be sprayed daily, while observing so that there is no flooding effect. Condensation should form on the walls of the vessel only in the morning. If the moss cover begins to darken, it means that the intensity of watering needs to be reduced. When the mosses begin to grow, spraying is carried out less frequently, once every three or even five days.

Growing moss at home can mean fighting mold in the first step. It usually appears if the "rugs" are not brought from the store.In this case, problem areas are treated with phytosporin. Although some moss breeders believe that the plantings themselves will cope with this scourge. But it seems to us that it is better to help them: the moss is weakened until the moment of full adaptation, and it does not need additional stresses and loads.

If you created an installation in an open dish-pot, then you need to spray the moss daily. Otherwise, it will quickly dry out and lose its decorative effect.

Application in crop production

As mentioned above, the properties of moss are indispensable in floriculture. It can and should be used for breeding:

• violets and gloxinia;
• royal and common begonias;
• orchids and monsters;
• dracaena and dieffenbachy;
• fat women and cordilins.

In general, this list can include all indoor flowers that prefer high humidity. Sphagnum moss is indispensable for those who are often on the road, and there is no one to entrust watering the flowers. Moss will do a great job, you just need to wet it and overlay the plant. So the soil will be wet for a long time.

Violet lined with sphagnum to maintain moisture.

Dried sphagnum is used by gardeners in their summer cottages. Plants that do not tolerate frost are covered with it. Since not all garden flowers need acidic soil, moss is harvested in spring, leaving only where it is really useful. For example, in areas with asters, chrysanthemums or tulips. Certain vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and radishes also like acidified soil.

Moss in the garden

Much easier is the case with the cultural cultivation of moss cover in the open air. Here you do not have to painstakingly create the necessary conditions and plant the pads. You need to get a sufficient piece of moss, healthy, without dried and suspicious areas. The blender is loaded with two glasses of water and milk, plus the extraction from the forest. Having received a cocktail consistency, you "paint" the intended area with this composition. Thanks to milk, moss takes root over the entire treated surface with a 90-95 percent probability.

With some hard work and expressed artistic talent, your fence, wall of a house, or can become a real work of art. Your immediate task will include only regular watering of the "picture" until the moss is definitely fixed on the territory provided to it.

These ancient land plants are very unpretentious. They need a lot of moisture and a little light to grow comfortably. And to the question: is it possible to grow moss in an apartment, the answer will be unequivocal - it is possible, and with great success.

How to grow moss at home?

As you know, mosses do not have roots, and they receive all the nutrients by absorbing moisture from their entire surface. Moss care is not at all difficult, but with their help you can create amazing live compositions, mini-gardens, forest landscapes.

You can grow mosses in any containers, but they look most impressive inside glass transparent bowls, vases or in small ones.

Growing moss at home inside a vase

So, in order to grow moss in a jar, vase or other container, you need to pour a layer of small pebbles or expanded clay on the bottom of it. This is necessary to prevent moisture stagnation. The next layer is granular coal. Only after that is the substrate poured.

It's time to start landscaping. It is not necessary to strive for a flat surface - hills and depressions will only add naturalism. You can add pieces of wood, pebbles, plant moisture-loving plants, so that the composition looks like a real forest landscape.

The moss itself can be taken in the forest by cutting it off along with the sod. Or you can buy it in a specialized store. In the first days after planting, the pads should be sprayed daily. After the end of the adaptation period, watering must be reduced so as not to cause an excess of moisture. It is optimal to moisturize the moss every 3-5 days.

As you can see, growing moss at home is a snap.Moss will start to grow very soon after planting. For normal development, bryophytes need to provide access to cool fresh air and partial lighting. It is enough to expose them under the morning sun rays for 2-3 hours. This lighting makes the color of the moss more intense and beautiful.

Types and application

Most often growers use dry sphagnum, which can be purchased at any specialty store. However, there are situations where live moss will be more effective. For example, it is used in the resuscitation of painful and wilting flowers, rooting cuttings and cuttings, as well as for germinating seeds that are sensitive to a lack of moisture.

Video. Harvesting sphagnum

Unfortunately, live peat moss can only be found in the wild, but it is worth remembering that bringing sphagnum from the forest, you risk introducing various infections and pest larvae, which can be very dangerous for your home flowers. Therefore, it is better not to use the source material directly, but only for breeding new moss.

Sphagnum grows best in hydroponics, that is, in a container with distilled water. Melt water from snow will also work, but not tap water. So that the water does not evaporate too quickly, the container with moss is covered with a film, creating a greenhouse effect. The temperature regime is average - about 20 degrees Celsius. For home cultivation of sphagnum, the north side with variable shade is suitable.

Growing a house of mosses and lichens

Dear friends! Anyone have any experience with growing mosses or lichens at home?

I confess that I either dry them out or fill them with water. Or m. B. sites on this topic prompt?

Thanks in advance!

I won't tell you which ones, I can't take a book on lichens in the old apartment. It looks usually wrinkled plates moderately branching pink. I had the experience of failures with lichens at the age of 10 since then, the main thing is that I realized this must be transferred along with the original substrate. In my case, this is a big dead oak snag, I didn’t cook it on purpose and now I admire what interesting things are growing out of it. These are mushrooms, mosses, lichens, algae, mold.

By the way, Gleb, have you come across "blocky" giving? I bought it on a pine block, such a funky decorativeness, combined with a huge growth rate and complete unpretentiousness (only air humidity is important), is just an ideal choice for decorating the walls of a wet xxx-room.

How to plant a plant on a site

In garden plots, bryophytes serve not only as a decorative decoration, but also benefit:

• in flooded areas absorb excess moisture;
• on stony soils, they are used instead of a lawn.

How to grow on the ground

Consider the detailed steps for planting bryophytes:

1. Prepare the site in advance: level and clear of weeds and plant debris.
2. Bring soil acidity to neutral. The acidic soil is limed, aluminum sulfate is added to the soil with a low acidity level (both components can be found in the store).
3. Use a spray nozzle to liberally moisten the prepared bed.
4. The best planting method is to cut a larger moss plate into small pieces and plant at some distance from each other, crushing it into the soil.
5. Water the moss every day after planting for two weeks. During this time, the seedlings adapt to a new place.

How to grow on stones

The instructions above will not work when landing on rocks, as this requires some kind of grip. Several mixtures can act in this role - use the one that is more convenient for you:

• 200 g / ml of moss, kefir and water;
• 200 g of moss, 0.4 l of beer, 20 g of sugar;
• 200 g of moss, powder of two aspirin tablets, 200 ml of water.

Any of the three proposed mixtures must be grinded with a blender, then applied to the desired surface.The treated stones should be sprayed with water twice a week.

How to grow on an ornamental reservoir

To grow a green carpet framing on a reservoir, you need to purchase a waterproof and breathable geotextile, which is used in landscape design. On the surface of the water, in the place where landscaping is planned, lay out strips of fabric, on top of it pieces of moss. There is no need to water, since the fabric immediately absorbs and retains water, therefore, the seedlings are also sufficiently moistened.

Highlights of bryophyte care:

• compulsory cleaning of weeds - mosses in the absence of root shoots cannot compete with grasses in the struggle for food and moisture;
• several hours of sun in the morning is not necessary, but desirable;
• direct sunlight, especially at the peak of its activity, can burn the plant, change its color;
• watering should be done exclusively with a spray - the plant absorbs moisture with its entire surface;
• an equally bad condition for moss is too acidic soil or low acidity of the soil;
• it is imperative to clean the planting of fallen leaves or tree twigs.

How to plant moss at home

Planting moss:

• Any free container will do. But still, from an aesthetic point of view, moss will look most advantageous in a transparent round vase or bowl. Having chosen a container, pour small pebbles on the bottom - for example, pebbles or expanded clay.
• On top of the drainage layer, you need to lay out the coal granulate, and place the soil on it. It is best to take special soil for growing moss, intended for marsh plants. Your indoor pet will like it the most, and it will take root on it more easily. The pads should be laid out on the ground and lightly pressed on top of it.

After planting, the plant should be watered generously with water.

Do-it-yourself mining and harvesting

Sphagnum moss can be found in swampy areas where it forms pillow-like peat clusters. In the northern hemisphere, it is mainly found in the tundra, and in the southern hemisphere, on the slopes of the mountains.

and very rarely on flat terrain in the forests of the middle zone.

You cannot use just prepared material. Only the upper part is cut off so that new shoots can form from the lower part remaining in the soil.

Treatment

Before applying it should be treated with boiling water

or put in warm water for a while to destroy all kinds of pests: ants, slugs, insects, etc.

Dried should also be treated with boiling water, and then on 4-5 days put in a plastic bag

until the complete destruction of pests.

Before use, dry moss is scalded and left in an airtight bag.

Drying

How to create a bonsai

The tradition of creating bonsai was born in ancient China over two thousand years ago. The name "bonsai" is written in two hieroglyphs, which mean "bowl" and "tree". Later, already in Japan, the unusual method was actively developed, ascended to the rank of fine art. It was the Japanese who perfected the method, creating a special system of canons, proposing the rules of the exposition. Miniature trees are an aesthetic delight for perfectionist people. Many argue that looking at a graceful bonsai, they are overwhelmed by an extraordinary feeling of calmness, peace, worries go away, as if by magic. Decorate the world around you, try your hand at creating amazing beauty products.

Bonsai

Do you want to create a luxurious miniature garden at home that does not require special maintenance? Then an interesting master class will help beginners in creating a bonsai tree with their own hands. Step-by-step instruction:

1. We select materials for work. Any gifts of generous nature will be required: fancifully curved twigs, driftwood, branches of juniper, spruce or pine, moss, lichen.
2. We preserve the twigs. For processing, we will prepare a special solution consisting of denatured alcohol, acetone, glycerin. We take everything in an exact proportion of 1: 1: 2.

Important:
The solution for the preservation of natural materials should be stored in a tightly closed container, as it has a pronounced chemical odor.

Initially, we wash the branches under cold water, thoroughly cleaning them from dust, dirt, then place them in a solution for at least a week.

1. Next, dry the decorative material, paint if necessary. Let's reveal a little secret: before painting, you need to dip the branches in hot paraffin, the treatment will help to evenly apply the paint to the surface.
2. Let's start making a decorative bonsai tree. We cut the branches to the desired length, carefully glue each to the base. So that the structure does not crumble, we will tie up individual elements with wire, after gluing it can be removed.
3. We decorate individual areas with moss, reindeer lichen, white sand or decorative stones. In the work, we will definitely designate the center of gravity of the structure in order to give the craft more stability.

Making a bonsai tree with your own hands

After the end of the painstaking work, a unique live composition will open to your eyes. Eco-style bonsai will delight the eye for a long time, it remains only occasionally to dust off an elegant creation.

Bonsai in a pot

Here's another way to make it easy to make an artificial bonsai tree with your own hands. The work algorithm is simple:

• We select the capacity. A ceramic flower pot with water drainage holes is ideal.
• We fill the pot with soil. The land should not be collected in the yard. It is better not to save money and buy a ready-made mixture at a flower shop. What is it for, if the tree is still artificial? From above we will grow moss or lawn, so good soil is essential.
• For the trunk of an ornamental tree, select a branch that is thick enough, bizarrely curved to resemble a spreading plant.
• We attach decor to the branches of a wooden frame. It can be made from matte paper, fabric, satin ribbons, or any material. The more original the decor, the more effective the final result.
• We plant the lawn mixture in the ground, water it abundantly daily. It won't take long for a bright and juicy lawn to spread out under the original tree.

Read also: Classic potato tortilla recipe in a pan

Original decorative tree

By combining natural and synthetic materials, you can achieve unprecedented results in the art of bonsai, turning your favorite hobby into a successful business.

pharmachologic effect

About what is useful Icelandic moss

, its medicinal properties and contraindications, studied many years ago. The plant has been proven to have many beneficial properties:

• has an antiseptic effect;
• removes phlegm, helps in the treatment of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory organs;
• eliminates viruses and germs;
• has a mild laxative effect, relieves constipation;
• relieves inflammation;
• helps in wound healing.

Tsetraria tones, strengthens the body, helps it cope with many diseases. This effect is achieved due to the presence of many vitamins and minerals in the composition.

Benefits of ornamental trees

In the old days, people said that a craftsman and a needleworker brings joy to himself and to people. Unique hand-made gizmos are always a valuable and welcome gift. The creation of decorative trees is a special art that makes vibrant gardens bloom in lush color all year round. Decorating a design with unusual crafts has a lot of advantages:

• With the help of original details, you can breathe new life into your home interior, refresh it without special financial costs.
• Artificial trees will retain their original beauty for a long time without requiring special care. They do not depend on weather conditions, pleasing to the eye with their beauty.
• Decorative details will help to harmoniously complement the stylish modern design even in a strict office space.

Decorative trees will breathe new life into the home interior

Looking at the skilful ornamental plants presented in stores, it's hard to believe that you can make them yourself. Do not rush to spend money on original crafts. We will reveal the secrets and secrets of this work, offer several original ideas, as well as simple master classes, during which you can “grow” many wonderful trees with your own hands.

Main types

In our time, whole species of mosses are known. Each species has its own characteristics. Let's pay attention to several types:

• Christmas
  ... The name of forest moss was determined by the shape of its leaves. He has all the leaves in the shape of Christmas tree needles. Christmas moss grows slowly. It can grow safely only under special conditions. The temperature for successful growth should not exceed 22 degrees. Outwardly, this view looks very beautiful. And all thanks to its needle leaves, which grow in layers and form excellent compositions;
• Fern
  ... The leaves of this species are similar to those of a fern. Therefore, fern is often confused with moss. Fern is rather dense. It is better for him to grow up in the shade. As a rule, it is a small fern species. Can be used for planting in the garden;
• Richia
  ... One of the most widespread species, which is known all over the world. Richia are glomerular. This species completely lacks the root and stems. In this case, the root, leaves and stem replace the layers of twigs. Moss ricia grows successfully under all conditions. For example, he needs good sanctification in an aquatic environment. The intensity of the consecration influences not only the growth process, but also the color. Under the influence of consecration, the color of ricia can be significantly swept. The standard shade is bright green;
• Hypnum moss
  ... It grows on stone, tree trunks, on the ground and on branches. The hypnotic look is in dire need of shade. Although it is able to withstand solar attacks. Great for constructing a variety of garden paths and lawns located in the garden or around the house;
• Key
  ... Like ricia, key moss is known to a wide range of people and is distributed almost all over the world. Australia is an exception. The color of the key species depends entirely on the power of the consecration. It can be red or it can be dark green. In addition to consecration, the color is significantly influenced by the composition of the soil in which it resides. The decorative moss itself consists of stalks, on which there are many leaves. The key type does not require supernatural containment;
• Peat
  ... This type is most often found in swamps. It is the swamps that are its main habitat. Peat mosses are rich in different color shades. Shades are red or green. It is often used to maintain the required moisture level in the soil in flower pots. In some cases, they are decorated with garden ponds near the house;
• Coastal leptodictium
  ... Another type of moss with a very interesting name. Its name comes from stems. The appearance is very original. The same stems are located far apart. Their vertical direction gives the plant a real airiness, which will not leave anyone indifferent. The coastal species is very difficult to confuse with another species of these plants. Coastal plants are considered unpretentious in terms of care. The acceptable temperature for him is no more than 28 degrees. He feels good in water, for example, in a pond near the garden;
• Weeping
  ... This species received this name due to the shape of the structure of its branches. The branches are like a weeping willow. The height of such a moss is no more than 50 cm. The weeping species comes from China. It was later brought to Europe. The habitat of the plant can be both driftwood and various pebbles near the country garden.The optimum temperature for normal life should not exceed 28 degrees;
• Dikranum
  ... This species prefers to grow on concrete walls and stones. Today, there are several types of dicranum moss. All species differ in shades, as well as in the shape of the leaves. Dikranum is low. Its height is 4 cm;
• Javanese
  ... One of the most famous species. Javanese plants are considered the most unpretentious in terms of care. Most of the time they are used by the aquarist. Javan moss does not need a certain temperature regime. He feels great in both dark and light reservoirs. Its stems are intertwined. During growth, the stems are pulled down;
• Common polytrichum
  ... This species is used in a wide variety of areas of our life. It has proven itself well both in medicine and in the field of garden decoration. The usual habitats are swamps and woodlands;

All of the listed moss species are used in different fields and fields of activity. Some people decide to grow moss on their own at home. Let's find out how to do this and what advice is worth listening to.

Features of self-cultivation of moss

Growing moss at home is not difficult, but requires certain skills and knowledge. There should also be some tools on hand. For successful cultivation you will need:

• transparent container (a round vase or a round thicket can become such a container);
• blender;
• water, buttermilk, or milk.

The growing process at home consists of several stages. Before growing, it would not hurt to read the following tips:

1. Before planting, you should clean the selected area from dirt, debris and leaves.
2. When preparing a plant for planting, remember that the growing area must match the previous habitat of the moss. For example, a plant taken from trees will take root exclusively on a tree. For example, in the garden. It is useless to grow it on the ground.
3. The planting site should not only look similar, but also be in the shade. Continuous exposure to the sun will simply dry it out.
4. The growing medium should be moist and acidic.

Now let's reproduce the order by growing.

Care after sowing

Yes Yes. Our spreading of the slurry is scientifically called spore seeding. And if there is a sowing, then there must be a harvest! And what else is required to obtain it? That's right - leaving.

In principle, at home, it consists in periodically moistening the moss and dragging the aquarium into the sun, then back. Just two hours, early in the morning, but always every day. Otherwise, our pet will not have that desired juicy green shade. The rest of the time it can be kept shaded. But not quite at the back of the room. Better somewhere near the window, but with cover.

About moisturizing. In the morning we got up - we look at the glass. Is there condensation? This means that there is no need to water today. Is the glass completely dry? We stomp for a spray bottle. By the way, the water in it is extremely melted. Or filtered. Otherwise, an ugly white bloom will appear on the moss. We don't need it at all.

Why a spray bottle, not a watering can. Because the moss drinks on the surface of the body. He has no roots. Therefore, we spray the plant a little. Carefully, without fanaticism. Overflow threatens with darkening and death. Bald spots and mold will appear. All beauty down the drain.

Of course, these procedures are carried out only after you see the result of your drawing with liquid. This usually occurs within about 10 days. Until then, it is best to simply cover the aquarium with a piece of glass or thick plastic wrap. Do not wear in the sun during this period! But be sure to air it once a day.

Then, after the microsystem adjusts its climate, you will only have to admire the mini-alpine lawn on your table.

how to grow bonsai at home

How to make living moss graffiti in the garden

With the help of bryophytes in an ornamental garden, you can create real works of art. Use a simple recipe to bring ideas to life.

Add a few moss pillows to a regular mixer, add ½ cup of kefir, a glass of water and 1 tablespoon of a spoon.

l. special hydrogel for plants to thicken the mixture (try without it). Prepare a dense mixture by mixing the ingredients for 2 minutes. Use the template on the surface of your choice (stone wall, wall, walkway, large rocks) and fill the empty spaces with a thick layer of the mixture with a sponge or brush.

Rinse well with water 2 times a week to start a spore.

Planting moss

Bonsai moss can also be simply grown by yourself. The big advantage of this method is the ability to easily combine different types, creating a more attractive finish.

Just like in the previous method, you need to find a suitable growing moss of one or several types, cut it off, dry it in the sun and grind it.

Pour the resulting "powder" on the surface of the soil in a bowl, and in a few weeks you will see how the green carpet begins to sprout.

Below are some examples of successful symbiosis between moss and bonsai.

The article was written based on the materials

Where does moss grow and how to prepare it

Sphagnum moss grows in swampy lowlands, shady forests, along the banks of streams. In these areas, you can find red, green and brown varieties of the plant. It can be harvested from spring to late autumn.

It is not difficult to extract moss from its natural habitat: the curtain is lifted and the bottom layer is cut off with scissors. After extraction, the moss is thoroughly squeezed out to remove water from it.

Important. You should not harvest a large amount of sphagnum at once, since a liter package of the plant is enough to make ten liters of planting substrate.

Immediately after harvesting, the moss is sorted out, freed from insects and disinfected. To keep sphagnum alive, green, experienced flower growers recommend holding it in 45-degree water for 15-20 minutes.

Store the harvested moss in plastic bags in the refrigerator. But it is impossible to close the package tightly, because this way the moss will suffocate and die.

... In winter, moss can be stored on a loggia or balcony, as it does not lose its properties when frozen.

Sphagnum in its natural environment

In order not to visit the forest often to harvest this valuable product, you can grow sphagnum moss yourself from a small piece. Any vessel can be used for cultivation, but moss looks most impressive in a round aquarium or glass vase with a rounded bottom. Expanded clay or pebbles are poured on the bottom of the vessel, and on this layer - granulated coal and a layer of soil for epiphytes. Moss is laid out on the prepared pillow, pressing it lightly.

The planted moss is generously watered. Abundant hydration is carried out daily until the moss takes root. As soon as the planting begins to grow, watering is reduced to once every five to six days, the amount of moisture is reduced.

Important.

During cultivation, it is necessary to ensure that mold does not form on the surface of the mat. If this happens, the moss is sprayed.

Collected in nature or grown independently, sphagnum moss is an indispensable assistant for an amateur florist, facilitating the care of indoor plants.

You can get acquainted with the features of using sphagnum from the proposed video material. Happy viewing!

Moss has long been successfully used as a decoration. How to grow moss at home on different surfaces? It's time to talk about simple methods that do not require large investments.

How to grow moss at home?

Peat moss in working with the world of animals and insects

It's amazing how unique sphagnum is. He found his use in working with bees.The most common way to use moss is to press dry sphagnum, which can be placed in hives in winter as insulation. Moss, dried at room temperature, in the open air, is placed under the bottom of the hive. Then he is able to absorb excess moisture and, in combination, disinfect the space of the bee's dwelling. If the air becomes excessively dry, peat moss will again come to the rescue, giving moisture for the necessary level of existence of the bees in the hive. At optimal humidity, honey in combs retains all its qualities, properties and sugar level.

Pets love sphagnum too. It is used as a bedding for a wide variety of pets, from cats and dogs to hamsters and rats. From now on, you can forget about the unpleasant smell from the "toilet" of the animal - the moss perfectly masks all these "aromas".

Here is the main list of the advantages of sphagnum moss used in horticulture and horticulture

Sphagnum moss is often used in the garden and vegetable garden. It has many advantages that make it an extremely useful gardening assistant. It is mixed into the soil or covered with moss, insisted for watering or used as fertilizer. The use of sphagnum allows you to solve several problems at once. Let's figure out which of the qualities of this moss are most useful in the garden.

Antiseptic properties

Sphagnum contains a special substance called sphagnol. It gives the moss the highest antibacterial, bactericidal and antiseptic properties. Sphagnum moss is not only not damaged by bacteria, fungi or insects, but also protects plants and soil from their effects. The addition of moss to the soil or soil mixture allows it to be sterilized without harm to the plant.

Also, the bactericidal properties of moss are used for watering. Having prepared an infusion of their sphagnum and non-hot water, you can process the surface of the plant and its root system, to which the infusion penetrates through the soil. Also, the antiseptic qualities of sphagnum moss are used by tying them around the stems or branches during propagation with layering or covering the soil in a flower pot with it.

Moisture capacity

Sphagnum has excellent moisture absorption properties. It is capable of absorbing 10-12 times more liquid than its original volume. Then the moss begins to slowly release the liquid. For this quality, sphagnum is appreciated by lazy or busy gardeners. If you cover the soil with it, you can leave the plants unattended and watering for a long time. The moss will slowly release moisture to the soil, supplying the plants with the necessary liquid. And if the moss is crushed and added to the soil, it will be moistened evenly and fully. At the same time, moss does not allow the roots to rot even in the highest humidity, therefore, you can not be afraid to flood this plant with water too much.

Improving soil characteristics

If it is necessary to improve the quality of the soil or plant a capricious plant, it is demanding on the soil, sphagnum is also often used. Its addition to the soil mixture allows you to make the soil looser and improve its air permeability.

Very often sphagnum moss is used to grow orchids or violets. It acidifies the soil, which is necessary for the brightness and beauty of flowers. Orchids also need high-quality moisturizing of the aerial roots. The sphagnum, which is wrapped or covered with a plant, replaces the tropical humidity with it.

Thermal insulation

Another advantage that is extremely important in Russian conditions is cold isolation. Moss stores heat well, so it is often wrapped around the trunks of trees that are susceptible to cold, or cover the soil in which there are perennials that could damage excessively cold temperatures.

All these advantages make sphagnum moss an extremely useful assistant for any gardener and gardener. On each site, the presence of this material will not only not become superfluous, but will also help make the cultivation of the garden as productive, high-quality and simple as possible.

How to grow sphagnum at home

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And I will write to you about my attempts to grow sphagnum at home.

Growing it at home is possible but difficult! Yes, difficult! It is only in the forest and in the swamp that it grows just like that, but it is still possible. In a year, I managed to bring a sod of live peat moss from the Leningrad region, having compared it with pictures from the Internet, I determined that I had Sphagnum sqarrosum. In the Internet, I could not find information on how to grow sphagnum, there are links around like in sphagnum to grow all kinds of room budyak, but I am interested in exactly how to grow sphagnum at home. I started experimenting. I killed a lot of moss. = (

When growing, Sphagnus does not like minerals.

To grow peat moss at home

... it is necessary to pay attention to the following factors necessary for normal development:

Water

from the tap, sphagnum containing an unreal amount of calcium simply kills - the tops of the moss are covered with limescale and that's it. I bought distilled water specially for watering in a car shop - just what I need. so, in the winter, stocked up with melt water from the snow. If you need to water urgently, and there is no rain or distilled water, you can use cooled boiled water. Tales about the fact that, after drying, all the mosses can allegedly be watered and they will come to life, do not apply to sphagnums in any way! After drying, sphagnum mosses irrevocably die

The soil:

I tried to plant sphagnum on acidic peat soil mixture from the store - horror! Obviously, there are too many minerals in it, algae began to develop actively, calcium plaque appeared again, the moss refused to grow. I planted it on sawdust - it grows normally, but, apparently, forest sphagnum, unlike marsh sphagnum, does not emit enough acids and over time the sawdust is affected by fungi, as a result, the best option was simply to place the moss in a glass without soil (no soil at all) to reduce evaporation glass covered with a transparent lid

Temperature:

in the summer heat, the moss almost stops growing, it is not for nothing that the natural habitats of sphagnum in the north of our homeland (the southernmost habitat is the Black Forest swamp, or Berestuvatoe)

Shine:

for marsh sphagnum, the sun is unambiguous, for forest sphagnum, according to the logic of things, a shadow, BUT on the windowsill, the moss brought from a dense forest began to stretch, which clearly indicated a lack of light

Planting and leaving

To create a mossy clearing or meadow, you need to start from scratch.

Clean the weed soil first. For planting, you can take large parts of the moss layer found in the forest, in the garden or in its place and transfer it to a new location. The different types of bryophytes are compatible with each other, so feel free to mix and match.

After transplantation with mom, new growth points begin to swing and gradually expand.

The plant grows well on clay and organic soils with high acidity (pH about 5.5).

The exception is small soil with a high sand content, which prevents the formation of a stable surface.

The ideal condition for moss in the garden would be shady areas in the north or east. Be sure to consider a sunny spot for all four seasons. Suitable places with morning sunshine or mid-summer dinner. Very few species can survive in the sun.

Moss can tolerate small periods of dryness, but rather increases moisture, especially during the first three weeks after planting.

Plants do not need deep and frequent watering, as this can cause excessive moisture and the appearance of fungal diseases. This may be the best way to install an automatic fading system.

If it is not possible to install the system, you can spray water, moistening the moss layer. The first 1-2 months every day, the third month every three days, the fourth - once a week. If the moss in the garden becomes cloudy, reduce watering, as this is a sign of soil damage.

Also consider the weather conditions.

Features of the plant and its life cycle

it perennial spore plant that does not have a root system.

In the process of development and growth, they form straight, non-branching shoots, which are collected in a dense sod, reminiscent of "pillows".

Instead of a stem, phyllidia and caulidia are formed. The gaps that form between the elements have the property of absorbing moisture, which ensures the life cycle.

In addition to phyllidia, which consist of only one cell layer, there is also a third element. These are rhizoids, which formally are the root part. The thinnest filaments of rhizoids branch very strongly and absorb moisture from the soil layer. One of their features is that over time, the absorption process stops and the rhizoids perform only the function of support.

The life cycle is based on the alternation of the sex generation with asexual

... Gametophyte is a sexual generation that has male and female gametes that give rise to asexual sporophytes. Gametophyte is a photosynthesizing green plant.

The sporophyte is a spore-bearing generation that feeds on the gametophyte. Each sporophyte cell has a double set of chromosomes, while in gametes there is only one. The development of sporophyte occurs due to cell division during meiosis. The result of the process becomes a dispute, but having sex, becoming a single gametophyte. This is how it goes constant, endless, life cycle.

Sphagnum life cycle.

Moss in place

The Japanese have used mosses in gardens and parks for centuries. Near the Kyoto region, on the territory of the temple, there is a large garden of the Sayokhi Mosque, which was founded in the 14th century. Visitors can view up to one hundred different types of mosses and lichens.

Today, the use of this impressive element in landscaping has become popular because of its aesthetic and practical benefits.

Moss has a wide range of rich colors, exquisite texture and unique decor. Blending multiple types allows for a seasonally changing collage of different shades of green.

The emerald carpet in the shaded corners of the area is fully consistent with the shade of perennials such as ferns, tenacious (Ayuga), hosts, lilies, hyacinth, Dincenter, windmills, saxophores.

Using this evergreen miniature plant as an effective center for decorating water features, treatments and Japanese-style gardens will create a unique atmosphere of unity and harmony with nature.

Also in late fall, when the leaves are flying and the last color is awake, the soft carpet with carpets will amaze you with the bright emerald shade of snow.

The practical advantage of planting moss in the garden is their recklessness and their ability to retain moisture. The plant thrives in areas where it is difficult to grow other flora.

All mosses are classified as bryophytes - not vascular plants.

In nature, there are about 2000 thousand of their varieties, reproduced by plant and controversial. Three factors affect their growth and development: humidity, sunlight and temperatures above -4 ° C. If these three conditions are met, photosynthesis will create the chemical energy necessary for active growth.

Although industrial moss is a plant, it does not have the plant parts that we are used to.

These are not real leaves, branches, or even roots. Because rooted mosses must look for other ways to absorb moisture, they are often found in humid shady areas where the moss grows like a colony that creates a dense layer of soft topsoil. Although some members of the genus were found in relatively open dry areas.

How to grow indoor moss and decorate your home

Many are accustomed to seeing moss only in the depths of a moist dense forest, surrounded by thick aspens and tall firs, in hollows and on the banks of swamps.

In fact, these soft emerald growths, formed into voluminous light "clouds", can grow at home - in small pots, with minimal maintenance.

Moss is one of the most ancient and truly unpretentious land plants on the planet. To live and grow, they need nothing at all - a little moisture and light.

tells how to quickly grow moss at home and shows how original they can decorate an apartment.

Mossy are unique in that they lack roots, flowers, and seeds. Moss receives nutrients with water, being able to absorb moisture across its entire surface.

It's easy to grow moss in your home, you don't need to water, fertilize, prune or replant it.

Moss pads can be brought from the forest by cutting off the top layer along with the sod, so you don't have to prepare the soil yourself.

If the moss was purchased from a store without a layer of soil, it must be done. To plant moss, you need to choose a shallow container and put a layer of small pebbles or expanded clay on the bottom (its average size should not exceed the volume of a pea). Such measures will improve the water permeability of the soil in the future and prevent moisture stagnation. Then you need to lay out the next layer - from granular coal. After that, the substrate should be added.

The first days after planting moss pads should be sprayed daily with cool water. Further, the usual mode of moss moistening looks like this - once every 3-5 days.

Moss grows quickly if it is in high humidity conditions. An excess of moisture for moss can be recognized by its color. If it darkens, the frequency and volume of spraying should be reduced.

Interestingly, moss can be grown without expanded clay and substrate.

To do this, you need to prepare a stone or a cut of a tree trunk and lay a layer of a mixture of moss and kefir on their surface. To do this, prepare a thick suspension of pieces of moss, kefir or beer. Kefir and beer bacteria can provide bryophytes with the necessary nutrients and stimulate their rapid growth. In this case, you need to spray the plant 2-3 times a week.

Very small species of bryophytes thrive in a place with cool, humid air and partial lighting. For them, 2-3 hours of the morning sun or indirect sunlight per day will be enough. In this light, the plant will be rich green.

Interior decor with indoor moss

With the help of unpretentious fluffy green plants, you can create living compositions that do not require special care and will delight the hosts and guests for a long time.

How to find this miracle of nature?

If you know exactly where sphagnum grows in the garden, you can simply water it periodically. Thus, the moss will grow, and when you decide to use it for the development of flowers, water both the flower and continue watering the mood.

This wonderful type of moss can be easily found in the forest latitudes, moreover, it appears not only in the fall - the green canvas is noticeable already in the summer. Moreover, in the hot season, sphagnum reaches its maximum volume. But it so happens that a person does not have the opportunity to be in the forest. In such a situation, there is the simplest way out, saving both resources and time - sphagnum can be bought at an inexpensive price.

Of course, first of all, this light green moss can be used to decorate the yard and even the house. Without a doubt, it is quite pleasing to the eye, but you can also resort to a little trick, not without the help of a plant. In gardening, peat moss is actively used for breeding orchids. And then beautiful pictures appear, in which orchids grow in the most unusual places - a wall, a railing, a stone ledge. How does this happen? The secret is simple. All that is needed for such an undertaking is a wooden tray in which sphagnum, clean peat and a small amount of earth are placed. It is necessary to fasten the moss to the bottom very tightly, because basically flower growers want to give it a hanging position.After that, the train of thought is even clearer - you grow flowers in the usual way, and attach an adult plant wherever your soul desires. But after that, you should still not forget about regular watering of the moss.

In the garden between vegetable beds, sphagnum is also able to find work. For example, if the soil is not suitable for growing any vegetables, then peat moss can be placed in it. It will serve a double service - first of all, it will fertilize the earth, healing it and endowing it with fertile properties, and secondly, it will speed up the appearance of your future salad on it.

Views

Representatives of the Bryophytes family, along with ferns, are among the most ancient inhabitants of the Earth. The earliest paleontological finds place them at around 0.4 million years ago, by the beginning of the Carboniferous period. In total, there are over 10 thousand species of moss on the planet, and the botanical classification defines about 177 families. Experts distinguish the following families among the main varieties:

• Tetraphis mosses;
• Andreev;
• Leafy (95% of the entire class);
• Polytrichous;
• Sphagnum;
• Takaki;
• Hepatic;
• Anthocerotaceous;
• Potty (the largest family - 3223 species).

It is also permissible to classify by the type of green covering created by bryophytes:

1. Pleurocarpous - creates a "carpet" spreading low on the surface and actively grows in breadth;
2. Acrocarpous - grows in bushes and at first it stretches in height, becoming thicker, and then goes into horizontal growth.

Moss is extremely easy to grow. It grows and develops without additional feeding, does not require special care measures, and can withstand harsh conditions of detention, illness and temperature extremes. The peculiarity of the plant is that it does not bloom and has spore reproduction.

Folk ways of dealing with various raids

Folk remedies involve the use of safe methods:

• Transplanting a plant, or replacing the top layer of soil.
• Using a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This method is effective only against mold, since potassium permanganate has fungicidal (antifungal) properties.

All types of mold, efflorescence, moss, appear on dense, poorly drained soils. Improving the structure of the soil, loosening, and regulated watering will help prevent this trouble.

Terms of use

Some growers are unhappy with the result of using sphagnum, citing a stop in the development of the orchid or rotting of the root system.

This happens due to incorrectness and ignorance of the biological structure:

• watering should be carried out with a small amount of water;
• withstand the next watering until completely dry;
• do not allow completely dried moss to remain without watering for a long time;
• provide sufficient lighting;
• do not allow connection with the root collar;
• do not compact the layer.

Mosses at their summer cottage

The appearance of moss on the site can cause a lot of trouble. If you do not get rid of it in time, it can grow and "capture" a fairly large space. Some summer residents strive to get rid of it as soon as possible, remove the moss with the help of a general herbicide, but this becomes only a temporary solution to the problem if the cause is not eliminated.

If the site is in a lowland or near a body of water, the most likely reason for the appearance of moss is too high soil moisture. It is necessary to dig grooves in the area or make a drainage system.

Moss grows well in acidic soils, so liming is an effective method of combating it. Lime is added for digging - 50 g per 1 hundred square meters, and dolomite flour is used in the fall. This should be done every year. Mulching with chopped straw and needles, which is carried out twice a season, also helps well.

Lack of light contributes to the appearance of moss, so shading must be reduced by cutting off the lower branches of the trees.

We apply the composition

Of course, even before preparing this wonderful slurry, we arranged pebbles inside the aquarium. They put an artificial lock, put old snags. They added sand to the bottom, poured a little fine gravel. Wasn't it lovely? But something is missing.

How did the famous cartoon character say there? It will not be enough. Not enough! Let's add aesthetics. By the way, they have already sniffed the stench from the jug. Now we take the old brush. We dunk it well in a cocktail and start writing. Over the stones, over the castle, over snags. We smear from the bottom of our hearts, we do not regret it. You can even splash a little.

We carry what remains to the backyard. There we select the darkest and dampest corner. And we draw with slurry right on the walls. Anything that came to mind. At least your autograph. Good results are obtained when drawing through a stencil. Guests will puzzle for a long time how the moss could grow so. Naturally, keep them in the dark until the very end. After all, this is your exclusive!

Of course, then the moss will fill all the free space. But even just a fluffy soft wall attracts the eye. And don't be afraid to damage buildings. Moss does not destroy the base, but only covers it, like a carpet.

The eerie-colored mixture is over. But our business is not yet. Let's move on to the next step.

how to grow kiwi

Icelandic cetraria - Photo of a plant

You will find all medicinal plants on our website! From the Latin Cefraria islandica (L). Ach.

Other plant names: Cetraria, Icelandic lichen, Icelandic moss

A leafy-bushy lichen from the Parmelia family, a perennial plant of a mushroom breed. Its body, called the thallus, reaches 10-15 cm in height and consists of grooved or tubular-coiled leathery-cartilaginous branched lobes, with short cilia along the edges, olive-green above, often with brown or red spots, whitish-brownish below.

When dry, the whole plant turns dark brown.

Icelandic cetraria contains a large amount of carbohydrates, half of them are lichen starch - lichenin, as well as the crystalline bitter substance centrin (cetraric acid), fumaric acid, gum, sugars and mineral salts.

Preparations in the form of infusion and jelly are taken as a means of stimulating the appetite, and for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract.

Interesting usefulness

• Instead of an aquarium, you can take a wide bottle. And even with a cork. There is a known case when one man planted moss in such a bottle and watered it. I closed it with a stopper and did not open it again. This was over 40 years ago. And the microsystem is still alive. With its own climate, humidity levels and, of course, moss. Try it again!
• By the way, the scientific world still does not know pests and diseases that would like moss. Unless molds sometimes taste it. And even then, only after severe waterlogging.
• Do not keep your plantings near the central heating battery. Too dry air is harmful to moss.
• The rougher the stones in your composition, the easier it will be for the plant to adhere to them. Smooth pebbles will remain bald. By the way, they are perfectly replaced by broken shards from ceramic pots. Only without glazing.

Herbal cocktail

If you just put a plant plate on the bottom of the aquarium, it will dry out. And you will not get a beautiful landscape. Therefore, we will make a cocktail. No, not for drinking. For lubricating surfaces. To prepare it, you only need a blender. Here are some recipes:

• 100 g moss, 2 tbsp. l. sour cream, 200 ml of pure water.
• 200 g of the plant, 400 ml of any beer, 1 tbsp. l. granulated sugar.
• 1 tbsp. moss, 2 aspirin tablets, 2 tbsp. plain water.
• 200 g of a plant, 200 ml of kefir, 300 ml of water, 1 tsp. Sahara.

We take ingredients from any recipe. Well, those that are at hand. Amicably and cheerfully put in a bowl or jug. Then briskly grind with a blender.I warn you right away: the smells of cocktails using dairy products are disgusting. Well, nothing. Beauty always requires ...

Fundamental principles

Mosses, or bryophytes, are higher plants devoid of a root and vascular system.

They appeared more than 400 million years ago, they do not grow only in deserts and semi-deserts due to the lack of water there. Accordingly, the first condition for growing a plant is a sufficient amount of moisture. Water also serves as a source of nutrition for him.

The second condition for the development of bryophyte is the absence of direct sunlight: under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the plant loses its color, gets burns.

Bryophytes, as mentioned, have no roots and multiply like mushrooms with the help of spores. The spores mature at the end of summer.

Did you know?
An interesting experiment was carried out by scientists with a sample of bryophyte found frozen in Antarctica. After thawing the plant, it was placed in an incubator and, despite the fact that the sample, according to biologists' calculations, froze one and a half thousand years ago, it returned to life.

Moss on the lawn is not bad

Usually, when moss appears in the garden, the owner is not at all happy, because this is an indicator that the site is too wet, and other plants will be very uncomfortable there.

But sometimes it happens that moss also performs very useful functions.

With the help of moss, you can give various elements of the garden, for example, stones, an aged look. Moss can be used to make a soft lawn.

TOOL FOR HOME AND GARDEN, NEEDLEWORK, ETC. PRICES VERY LOW

Anyway, with the help of this plant, you can create various sculptures for the garden.

On a note

Moss has many advantages and benefits over conventional plants. First of all, it is unpretentious: it does not need to be fertilized, protected from pests, most of which bypass it. Moss, being an evergreen crop, is not afraid of temperature extremes. And for many people, it is interesting because it is not capable of causing allergies in anyone.

Soluble salts - efflorescence

Any water used for irrigation contains soluble salts. Their concentration is different: hard or well water contains a large amount of salts. The smallest amount of elements contains rain, melt, the so-called "soft" water. Depending on the microelements present, the color of efflorescence will differ: calcium salts will give a white tint, and with an excess of iron, the ground on top will be yellow or brown.

This phenomenon often affects heavy soils with poor drainage, frequent surface watering. When the water does not completely wet the earthen lump, soluble salts do not go well to the roots and stay on the surface.

Too fertilized soil can also cause efflorescence. If the trace elements do not have time to be absorbed by the flower, they begin to come to the surface.

How to deal with salt deposits

In order to get rid of plaque, the cause of its appearance is eliminated:

1. Replace the topcoat carefully.
2. If possible, use soft water: rainwater or tap water, well-separated.
3. Reduce the frequency of watering by increasing the volume of liquid so that the earthen clod is completely saturated.
4. Provide good drainage, clean clogged drainage holes.
5. Loosen the top layer of the earth regularly.

How to tell mold from efflorescence

The fungus protrudes several millimeters above the soil surface, its structure is soft, delicate, easily rubbed between the fingers.

Efflorescences resemble a thin coating, difficult to separate from the ground, rough to the touch.

How to soften water for watering flowers

The easiest way is to collect rainwater. But this option is poorly suited for industrial areas, since the raindrops will collect dust, chemical elements in the air.

• Use well-settled water. For watering, take the top layer, excluding shaking.
• Filtered water.There are special filters for hard water that soften it by trapping calcium salts.
• Melt water. Take ordinary tap water out into the cold or place it in the freezer. Salt-free liquid freezes earlier; complete freezing should not be allowed. Then the non-frozen water is drained, and the ice is thawed. Water prepared in this way will be soft and biologically active - "alive".

• It is good to use aquarium water for watering. But provided that no medicinal substances or other additives were added to it.

Decorative, or stabilized, moss

Decorative, or stabilized, moss is a new design solution that can beautify any home. Pictures and panels are made of this moss, which are attached to boards and hung on the wall. This composition looks very original. Stabilized (or sleepy) moss requires no watering or other special care.

Advantages of decorative moss:

• retains its appearance for 15 years;
• does not need special lighting;
• being in a state of sleep, the moss does not grow, which means that it does not need to be pruned;
• dust does not settle on it;
• does not cause allergies;
• the moss is not toxic;
• resistant to mold and fungi, and also not susceptible to disease.

On an industrial scale, moss is harvested by hand. This selection of material allows you to control the balance of the ecosystem. After collecting, the moss is thoroughly cleaned of grass residues, dirt, and then subjected to a stabilization process. In fact, the plant is put into a dormant state. But it is thanks to the stabilization process that moss can retain its color and properties for a long time, but not grow. The essence of the process is that a special solution based on glycerin is introduced into the moss. As a result, decorative moss turns out to be soft, resilient and very beautiful.

Can I make decorative moss with my own hands? There is nothing complicated in the process itself. Another thing is that a lot of moss is required to create a large-scale picture. If you have enough material, you can make stabilized moss at home.

Icelandic moss is most suitable for growing sleepy moss. It is he who is most often used in decor.

To prepare a solution for creating decorative moss, you will need:

• moss - 3 handfuls;
• kefir - 0.5 liters;
• sugar - 2 teaspoons;
• hydrogel - 2 teaspoons;
• purified water - as needed.

All components are loaded into a blender and whipped for two minutes. Now you need any natural base, such as a board or crust tile. The prepared solution must be applied to the surface of the substrate, after which the moss should be laid out. It will take five weeks for a sufficient layer of moss to form. All this time, the moss must be kept under the film, thus creating a greenhouse.

While the moss is awake, you need to take care of it: water it periodically and avoid direct sunlight. If the color of the plant does not suit you, then it can be painted with natural paints. To prepare a mixture that will induce moss into sleep, you will need boiling water and glycerin. They must be diluted in a ratio of 2: 1, respectively. You should get a thick mass, which should be poured over the entire surface of the moss. After a month, the bryophyte will fall asleep and can be hung in its permanent place.

Buying decorative moss is not cheap. The average price per kilogram is $ 28. If you buy moss in the form of a tile, then the price of the panel is $ 400 per square meter.

If you have any questions, we suggest watching the video, which tells in more detail about stabilized moss.