Iwahiba イワヒバ (Selaginella tamariscina)

[Viridian Bonsai]

This is a plant species that is noticeably absent in the West when it comes to Bonsai. Iwahiba (Selaginella tamariscina) is a spicies of spike moss native to China, Korea, the Russian Far East, and Japan. During dry seasons it can survive complete desiccation with the foliage fronds curling up into the centre to conserve moisture and protect the crown.

As bonsai, iwahiba doesn’t fit any particular style but does form somewhat of a trunk that looks strange and quite intriguing. Iwahiba translates to rock cypress in English with it naturally growing in rock pockets in Japan and it’s foliage bearing close resemblance to cypress fronds.

I purchased my 5 plants from AliExpress in a bundle from China and they came completely dry and desiccated with barely any roots. This somewhat concerns me since a few resources online say that these plants may take a long time to become healthy again after being totally dried out and that it is important that the woody part at the base is intact to grow new roots.

After soaking them in water for 16 hours they have greened up considerably and look quite alive again! I was amazed how they went from a light brown colour to a forest green after just being rehydrated for less than a day! They also opened up from their dry, round balls into brilliant rosettes!

Now, I’m scouring the internet for the best way to grow them. Most Japanese YouTube videos will show them planted in straight akadama with a moss top dressing to keep mousture. Most sources say that they also grow extremely slowly and take a very long time to form that strange, dark trunk.

I’ve started this thread to see if others have experience with this type of plant and to gain advice on the best way to grow them!

Below I attached images of what they looked like when I opened the package, after 16 hours soaking in water, and the woody base that the roots grow from. I also added a few images from instagram to show what they can look like as bonsai!

Thanks!
Ty Biswanger

 

[August]

Bump. This is sick as hell

 

[pandacular]

This is a species of spike moss? Looks awesome.

I picked up a vintage US bonsai book and one of the things the author emphasized was that any species can be a bonsai. I don't think that view is common today, but I like trying similar techniques with other things.

 

[NaoTK]

This is mine I've had for 3 years. I cannot figure out the lighting and watering requirements but it has stumbled along year after year and is now ~2inches tall.

What positioning is best for this species? I also leave mine out all winter and it doesn't seem to mind.

 

[MaciekA]

Here's one that I trimmed up at Hagedorn's back in 2021. He treats these the same way as all the other accent plants -- heavy shade and/or greenhouse.

edit: I need to find one or clone one as I really like the canopy shapes that are possible with this species.

 

[NaoTK]

Here's one that I trimmed up at Hagedorn's back in 2021. He treats these the same way as all the other accent plants -- heavy shade and/or greenhouse.

edit: I need to find one or clone one as I really like the canopy shapes that are possible with this species.

View attachment 500799

That Hagedorn guy should really consider doing this full time

 

[MaciekA]

This is a species of spike moss? Looks awesome.

I picked up a vintage US bonsai book and one of the things the author emphasized was that any species can be a bonsai. I don't think that view is common today, but I like trying similar techniques with other things.

This is considered an accent plant rather than a bonsai. The "accent plant" label in no way diminishes the role or validity of a species like this in and around bonsai gardens, but helps acknowledge that bonsai techniques don't apply to a species like this (or fern or strawberry or grasses and other things used in kusamono or accent plants).

I agree with the view of your vintage US bonsai book and for me it encompasses anything that is a woody tree and shrub species (as well a few succulents) that responds successfully to bonsai techniques.

 

[NaoTK]

Here's one that I trimmed up at Hagedorn's back in 2021. He treats these the same way as all the other accent plants -- heavy shade and/or greenhouse.

edit: I need to find one or clone one as I really like the canopy shapes that are possible with this species.

View attachment 500799

I think yours looks more like a club moss (maybe from Oregon?) than the Japanese spike moss, which has radially symmetric fronds