penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Absolute black and pure white do not exist in nature.
moss grown on the surface
- Thread starter Antrox
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Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I think we are actually discussing two very different questions in this thread:
(1) Is having moss on the top layer of your soil harmful/beneficial (aside from aesthetic benefits)?
(2) Is moss growing on your soil a sign of something good/bad with your soil/environment?
Don't assume that what works for Ryan Neil in Portland, OR (43 inches of rain per year) will also work for your trees, depending on where you live and what you use for soil, where you get your water, etc. Ryan uses a 100% inorganic soil mix, gets great soil drainage, and lives in a rain forest with high rainfall and high humidity (average 144 days of sun per year). It would be difficult to NOT grow moss on his soil.
Conversely, consider my last location in Orange County, CA (14 inches of rain per year) with no rainfall for nine months straight every year. If I saw moss growing on ANY of my soil, it was usually a sign of something bad - because it meant I had soil that was remaining saturated in desert humidity (average 278 days of sun per year - almost TWICE as much as in Portland). Additionally, because I was forced to use highly alkaline irrigation water and moss prefers acidic growing conditions, it was a sign that SOMETHING was lowering soil pH. That something could mean an accidental over-application of soil acidifier, an area of over-application of organic fertilizer, etc.
So for me it wasn't a question of whether I wanted moss to grow... but what moss meant if I saw it growing
For Southern California shows people don't show up with moss naturally growing on their soil. They grow moss separately in controlled conditions, place it on their soil for the show, and then remove it as soon as the show is over.
Often when I see moss on soil (from someone other than Ryan) it is an indication of poor drainage and/or high organic levels. If you look at the OP's tree, I don't see any bonsai soil. I see black organic soil akin to potting soil, and a tree that looks (to me) like it is staying too wet.
(1) Is having moss on the top layer of your soil harmful/beneficial (aside from aesthetic benefits)?
(2) Is moss growing on your soil a sign of something good/bad with your soil/environment?
Don't assume that what works for Ryan Neil in Portland, OR (43 inches of rain per year) will also work for your trees, depending on where you live and what you use for soil, where you get your water, etc. Ryan uses a 100% inorganic soil mix, gets great soil drainage, and lives in a rain forest with high rainfall and high humidity (average 144 days of sun per year). It would be difficult to NOT grow moss on his soil.
Conversely, consider my last location in Orange County, CA (14 inches of rain per year) with no rainfall for nine months straight every year. If I saw moss growing on ANY of my soil, it was usually a sign of something bad - because it meant I had soil that was remaining saturated in desert humidity (average 278 days of sun per year - almost TWICE as much as in Portland). Additionally, because I was forced to use highly alkaline irrigation water and moss prefers acidic growing conditions, it was a sign that SOMETHING was lowering soil pH. That something could mean an accidental over-application of soil acidifier, an area of over-application of organic fertilizer, etc.
So for me it wasn't a question of whether I wanted moss to grow... but what moss meant if I saw it growing
For Southern California shows people don't show up with moss naturally growing on their soil. They grow moss separately in controlled conditions, place it on their soil for the show, and then remove it as soon as the show is over.Often when I see moss on soil (from someone other than Ryan) it is an indication of poor drainage and/or high organic levels. If you look at the OP's tree, I don't see any bonsai soil. I see black organic soil akin to potting soil, and a tree that looks (to me) like it is staying too wet.
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Lannabulls
Yamadori
Sorry for my stupid, rookie question, I am a complete beginner, reading this thread thoughts came to my mind.
Generally specking most of bonsai species need sun light, they must be exposed to sun. How you can mantain moss if it is exposed to sun too? When I look around I always see moss in well shaded areas therefore here my doubt.
I am living in northen Thailand, planty of humidity, moss everywere
Could you please be so kind explain? Thanks
Generally specking most of bonsai species need sun light, they must be exposed to sun. How you can mantain moss if it is exposed to sun too? When I look around I always see moss in well shaded areas therefore here my doubt.
I am living in northen Thailand, planty of humidity, moss everywere
Could you please be so kind explain? Thanks
Colorado
Masterpiece
Thousands of species of moss exist throughout the world. Some species are adapted to more dry, sunnier conditions!
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Living in California, I would specifically collect moss that grew in full sun for use on my bonsai.
One of the best collecting locations I found was outside a car wash... growing along the sidewalk and the side of the street! It was in full sun, but kept almost constantly wet from run-off from the car wash
Lannabulls
Yamadori
That means only certain moss species could work with bonsai, iteresting, thanks!
Here in Thailand I never sow moss growing exposed to sun anyway I will keep attention hoping nature is going to teach and provide.
Here in Thailand I never sow moss growing exposed to sun anyway I will keep attention hoping nature is going to teach and provide.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I believe Team Moss and Team Common Sense need to be applied in equal doses concurrently.
A good reader does not add to the argument but can find their own truth in it.
I think 3 seperate ABSOLUTE values come into play to AVOID ALL "PROBLEMS".
Correct Soil, Correct Tree, and Correct Moss.
The trouble is that we choose to use the "same" soil for every tree. This is the wrench in the understanding. It falls outside of what must be absolute to have all 3 of these values line up.
A Ponderosa in Ponderosa Soil with Ponderosa Moss won't present problems because all 3 values are correct.
A Maple in Maple Soil with Maple Moss won't present problems.
These are absolutely correct microbiomes.
Because our soil tends to fall outside of absolutely correct microbiomes, problems are introduced that need tending.
The levels at which corrections are required depend on how far outside of this absolutely correct microbiome your situation lands.
There are too many variables to bother arguing outside of this truth.
Sorce
A good reader does not add to the argument but can find their own truth in it.
I think 3 seperate ABSOLUTE values come into play to AVOID ALL "PROBLEMS".
Correct Soil, Correct Tree, and Correct Moss.
The trouble is that we choose to use the "same" soil for every tree. This is the wrench in the understanding. It falls outside of what must be absolute to have all 3 of these values line up.
A Ponderosa in Ponderosa Soil with Ponderosa Moss won't present problems because all 3 values are correct.
A Maple in Maple Soil with Maple Moss won't present problems.
These are absolutely correct microbiomes.
Because our soil tends to fall outside of absolutely correct microbiomes, problems are introduced that need tending.
The levels at which corrections are required depend on how far outside of this absolutely correct microbiome your situation lands.
There are too many variables to bother arguing outside of this truth.
Sorce
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