how to grow moss on rocks?

[Dave and Miss]

Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on rocks
around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to make
them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557

[Lostin1999]

"Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
...
> Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
rocks
> around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
make
> them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
>
the trick I am trying (was told recently) is to put natural yoghurt on
them...

ive also heard a trick of liquidizing moss and milk/natural yoghurt and then
painting the resultant mess.. onto them...

I only painted mine today (on first idea) so no idea if it works...

HTH

Lost

[Dave and Miss]

Hey Lost...I tried your first method last year with no effect so I'll give
your other suggestion a shot....thanks.
"Lostin1999" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
> rocks
> > around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
> make
> > them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> > http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
> >
> the trick I am trying (was told recently) is to put natural yoghurt on
> them...
>
> ive also heard a trick of liquidizing moss and milk/natural yoghurt and
then
> painting the resultant mess.. onto them...
>
> I only painted mine today (on first idea) so no idea if it works...
>
> HTH
>
> Lost
>
>

[Granny Grump]

>Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on rocks
>around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to make
>them look like they've been there forever.

Mosses are very specific as far as where they will grow....there are
many species of moss and each has fairly ridgid requirements.

So, look around the place to find some moss that you can use.

Put moss and buttermilk (enough to make it moist) in a blender and
whirl it good. Add a tiny bit of Miracle Gro to the mix.
Paint or pour the mixture on your rocks and more moss will grow
shortly.

The trick once you've applied the moss mixture is to keep the area
damp. Try plastic wrap, secured it to the area where the moss mixture
was painted on, with rocks to retain the moisture (and of course
making sure to keep watering the area.)

[Philip Lewis]

Granny Grump > writes:
> Put moss and buttermilk (enough to make it moist) in a blender and
the buttermilk/yoghurt advice is what i've also read...

>whirl it good. Add a tiny bit of Miracle Gro to the mix.
Miracid might be better... mosses tend to like acid enviroments...
if you want a little extra "sticking" and water retention power, add
some clay to the mix.

of course.. all this is mostly from what i've read... never actually
tried it. :)

good luck.

--
be safe.
flip
Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")

[Dave and Miss]

Thanks for the info....gonna give it a try. Might have to buy the wife a new
blender though. ;-)
"Philip Lewis" > wrote in message
du...
> Granny Grump > writes:
> > Put moss and buttermilk (enough to make it moist) in a blender and
> the buttermilk/yoghurt advice is what i've also read...
>
> >whirl it good. Add a tiny bit of Miracle Gro to the mix.
> Miracid might be better... mosses tend to like acid enviroments...
> if you want a little extra "sticking" and water retention power, add
> some clay to the mix.
>
> of course.. all this is mostly from what i've read... never actually
> tried it. :)
>
> good luck.
>
> --
> be safe.
> flip
> Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
> Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")
>
>

[Philip Lewis]

"Dave and Miss" > writes:
>gonna give it a try. Might have to buy the wife a new blender
My grandma always said "you eat a ton of dirt before you die"
(she might still say it yet today to my cousins/nephew who are still
in the dirt eating age. having outgrown that (mostly) she doesn't say
it to me much these days. ;)



If you're really worried about it (or don't think you can get away
with it), go to some second-hand store and pick up a blender/food
processor for "garden" or "other" use. (mix some bath salts, etc...)

--
be safe.
flip
Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")

[Jim and Phyllis Hurley]

If you can find a moss growing near your home on rocks with similar
moisture, go for that! If you can't, there may be a good reason for it!
The moss is willing . The environment may be weak. Moss spores are probably
in the atmosphere where you are. Your painting, etc, can only speed up the
process.

Good luck.

Jim
--
____________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Ask me about Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $120+ per child) at: jogathon.net

"Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
...
> Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
rocks
> around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
make
> them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
>
>

[chagoi]

Dave and Miss wrote:
> Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on rocks
> around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to make
> them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
>
>
I have not tried the yogart method, seem like that would only work well
on damp rocks not ones in any type of moving water.

My proven method to grow moss on rocks is to:

1. Find a sizable patch of moss.
2. Get the biggest most flexable cheapist "GINSU" type knife.
3. slice the moss loose from the ground leaving about 3/4 -1" of soil
around the roots of the moss.
4. Place the section of moss "upside down in a mess type basket
(plastic plant container from the HD or nursery at hold 8 of the 6
pack containers of plants)
5. Using the jet stream position on the garden hose nozzle. Gently wash
most of the soil from the roots of the moss.
6. you should be left with a mat of moss with partially exposed roots
7. place the moss mat on the rocks and secure them with small rocks, if
the water flow is fast.
8. in a week or two they will start to attach themselves to the rocks,
you then can remove any of the rocks you don't want. and the moww
should stay in place

I have used this methode fot the last 2 years. The moss grows extremely
fast. I placed 3 empty trapdoor snail shells on a ledge of my WaterWall
and in 4 days the moss attached itself to the shells enough that I could
not remove the shells without tearing the moss.

http://ourkoipond.com/
This picture is of the WaterWall of the 100 gallon pond 3 weeks after I
installed the pond Last Year 2003.

http://ourkoipond.com/PondPics2.htm
show the pond several weeks later 2003

http://ourkoipond.com/061704.htm
pictures as of 6/17/2004

I will try to take a few pictures tomorrow of the pond as the moss
coverage has increased dramatically in the last month.

Also of the "Great Stuff" Waterfalls with partially attached moss.

/\/\ike
Chagoi
http://ourkoipond.com

[Jim and Phyllis Hurley]

Technique sounds GREAT. Full moss, fast.

--
____________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Ask me about Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $120+ per child) at: jogathon.net

"chagoi" > wrote in message
...
> Dave and Miss wrote:
> > Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
rocks
> > around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
make
> > them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> > http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
> >
> >
> I have not tried the yogart method, seem like that would only work well
> on damp rocks not ones in any type of moving water.
>
> My proven method to grow moss on rocks is to:
>
> 1. Find a sizable patch of moss.
> 2. Get the biggest most flexable cheapist "GINSU" type knife.
> 3. slice the moss loose from the ground leaving about 3/4 -1" of soil
> around the roots of the moss.
> 4. Place the section of moss "upside down in a mess type basket
> (plastic plant container from the HD or nursery at hold 8 of the 6
> pack containers of plants)
> 5. Using the jet stream position on the garden hose nozzle. Gently wash
> most of the soil from the roots of the moss.
> 6. you should be left with a mat of moss with partially exposed roots
> 7. place the moss mat on the rocks and secure them with small rocks, if
> the water flow is fast.
> 8. in a week or two they will start to attach themselves to the rocks,
> you then can remove any of the rocks you don't want. and the moww
> should stay in place
>
> I have used this methode fot the last 2 years. The moss grows extremely
> fast. I placed 3 empty trapdoor snail shells on a ledge of my WaterWall
> and in 4 days the moss attached itself to the shells enough that I could
> not remove the shells without tearing the moss.
>
> http://ourkoipond.com/
> This picture is of the WaterWall of the 100 gallon pond 3 weeks after I
> installed the pond Last Year 2003.
>
> http://ourkoipond.com/PondPics2.htm
> show the pond several weeks later 2003
>
> http://ourkoipond.com/061704.htm
> pictures as of 6/17/2004
>
> I will try to take a few pictures tomorrow of the pond as the moss
> coverage has increased dramatically in the last month.
>
> Also of the "Great Stuff" Waterfalls with partially attached moss.
>
> /\/\ike
> Chagoi
> http://ourkoipond.com

[Jim and Phyllis Hurley]

Chagoi,

I went to your pond site. Wonderful pics. Big project to remove the
stream! What led you to it?

Jim

--
____________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Ask me about Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $120+ per child) at: jogathon.net

"chagoi" > wrote in message
...
> Dave and Miss wrote:
> > Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
rocks
> > around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
make
> > them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> > http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
> >
> >
> I have not tried the yogart method, seem like that would only work well
> on damp rocks not ones in any type of moving water.
>
> My proven method to grow moss on rocks is to:
>
> 1. Find a sizable patch of moss.
> 2. Get the biggest most flexable cheapist "GINSU" type knife.
> 3. slice the moss loose from the ground leaving about 3/4 -1" of soil
> around the roots of the moss.
> 4. Place the section of moss "upside down in a mess type basket
> (plastic plant container from the HD or nursery at hold 8 of the 6
> pack containers of plants)
> 5. Using the jet stream position on the garden hose nozzle. Gently wash
> most of the soil from the roots of the moss.
> 6. you should be left with a mat of moss with partially exposed roots
> 7. place the moss mat on the rocks and secure them with small rocks, if
> the water flow is fast.
> 8. in a week or two they will start to attach themselves to the rocks,
> you then can remove any of the rocks you don't want. and the moww
> should stay in place
>
> I have used this methode fot the last 2 years. The moss grows extremely
> fast. I placed 3 empty trapdoor snail shells on a ledge of my WaterWall
> and in 4 days the moss attached itself to the shells enough that I could
> not remove the shells without tearing the moss.
>
> http://ourkoipond.com/
> This picture is of the WaterWall of the 100 gallon pond 3 weeks after I
> installed the pond Last Year 2003.
>
> http://ourkoipond.com/PondPics2.htm
> show the pond several weeks later 2003
>
> http://ourkoipond.com/061704.htm
> pictures as of 6/17/2004
>
> I will try to take a few pictures tomorrow of the pond as the moss
> coverage has increased dramatically in the last month.
>
> Also of the "Great Stuff" Waterfalls with partially attached moss.
>
> /\/\ike
> Chagoi
> http://ourkoipond.com

[SVTKate]

I read recently in a garden book the how to:

Grind some moss up as fine as you possibly can and add it to buttermilk then
apply the solution to your stones.
I have not tried it yet, but it sounds reasonable.

Kate

"Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
...
| Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
rocks
| around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
make
| them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
| http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
|
|

[SVTKate]

naw, just rinse it with the hose and run it through the dishwasher, it will
be fine :)

"Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
...
| Thanks for the info....gonna give it a try. Might have to buy the wife a
new
| blender though. ;-)
| "Philip Lewis" > wrote in message
| du...
| > Granny Grump > writes:
| > > Put moss and buttermilk (enough to make it moist) in a blender and
| > the buttermilk/yoghurt advice is what i've also read...
| >
| > >whirl it good. Add a tiny bit of Miracle Gro to the mix.
| > Miracid might be better... mosses tend to like acid enviroments...
| > if you want a little extra "sticking" and water retention power, add
| > some clay to the mix.
| >
| > of course.. all this is mostly from what i've read... never actually
| > tried it. :)
| >
| > good luck.
| >
| > --
| > be safe.
| > flip
| > Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
| > Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")
| >
| >
|
|

[Mark Bannister]

All the methods you have been given for propagating moss will work, but
it depends on the type of moss as well. Some respond well to grinding
up, some do very poorly this way. You might check out bonsai sources as
they have a few thousand years of history on how to do this.
Just to reiterate what has already been said and some comments:
Moss likes acid
Moss likes damp
If you transplant moss you should try to match shade and moisture level.
Some use cheese cloth to hold down moss and keep it together.
Moss near water takes off quickly, especially if part of the moss can
act as a wick and touch the water.
Squirrels and birds LOVE to pull up moss looking for stuff. Many, many
times I came home to our old small pond to find ALL the moss ripped up
and strewn about. A very proud robin or mocking bird would be standing
around, chest out, tummy full.
Squirrels seem to prefer moss on soil to hide nuts under.

Mark B.

Dave and Miss wrote:
> Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on rocks
> around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to make
> them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
>
>

[bluegill phil]

Chickadees use it for nests. They fill my birdhouses with it every
year. After they leave I replant it under the birdhouses where they
got it.


On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:21:29 -0500, Mark Bannister
> wrote:

>All the methods you have been given for propagating moss will work, but
>it depends on the type of moss as well. Some respond well to grinding
>up, some do very poorly this way. You might check out bonsai sources as
>they have a few thousand years of history on how to do this.
>Just to reiterate what has already been said and some comments:
>Moss likes acid
>Moss likes damp
>If you transplant moss you should try to match shade and moisture level.
>Some use cheese cloth to hold down moss and keep it together.
>Moss near water takes off quickly, especially if part of the moss can
>act as a wick and touch the water.
>Squirrels and birds LOVE to pull up moss looking for stuff. Many, many
>times I came home to our old small pond to find ALL the moss ripped up
>and strewn about. A very proud robin or mocking bird would be standing
>around, chest out, tummy full.
>Squirrels seem to prefer moss on soil to hide nuts under.
>
>Mark B.
>
>Dave and Miss wrote:
>> Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on rocks
>> around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to make
>> them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
>> http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
>>
>>

[Webfoot]

Do what I always do for things like this. Wait until she is asleep.
Timing is the key to a happy marriage. I time everyting for when she
is not around.

Russell Mack


On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:39:26 -0700, "Dave and Miss"
> wrote:

>Thanks for the info....gonna give it a try. Might have to buy the wife a new
>blender though. ;-)
>"Philip Lewis" > wrote in message
du...
>> Granny Grump > writes:
>> > Put moss and buttermilk (enough to make it moist) in a blender and
>> the buttermilk/yoghurt advice is what i've also read...
>>
>> >whirl it good. Add a tiny bit of Miracle Gro to the mix.
>> Miracid might be better... mosses tend to like acid enviroments...
>> if you want a little extra "sticking" and water retention power, add
>> some clay to the mix.
>>
>> of course.. all this is mostly from what i've read... never actually
>> tried it. :)
>>
>> good luck.
>>
>> --
>> be safe.
>> flip
>> Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
>> Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")
>>
>>
>

[SVTKate]

LOL...
you best just stay away from MY man so you don't teach him anything naughty!

Kate

"Webfoot" > wrote in message
...
| Do what I always do for things like this. Wait until she is asleep.
| Timing is the key to a happy marriage. I time everyting for when she
| is not around.
|
| Russell Mack
|
|
| On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:39:26 -0700, "Dave and Miss"
| > wrote:
|
| >Thanks for the info....gonna give it a try. Might have to buy the wife a
new
| >blender though. ;-)
| >"Philip Lewis" > wrote in message
| du...
| >> Granny Grump > writes:
| >> > Put moss and buttermilk (enough to make it moist) in a blender and
| >> the buttermilk/yoghurt advice is what i've also read...
| >>
| >> >whirl it good. Add a tiny bit of Miracle Gro to the mix.
| >> Miracid might be better... mosses tend to like acid enviroments...
| >> if you want a little extra "sticking" and water retention power, add
| >> some clay to the mix.
| >>
| >> of course.. all this is mostly from what i've read... never actually
| >> tried it. :)
| >>
| >> good luck.
| >>
| >> --
| >> be safe.
| >> flip
| >> Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
| >> Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")
| >>
| >>
| >
|

[Mostyn]

Dave
yes paint them with milk this should speed up the process.
Mostyn
"Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
...
> Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
rocks
> around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
make
> them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
>
>

[Dave and Miss]

Thanks....I will.
Dave
"Mostyn" > wrote in message
...
> Dave
> yes paint them with milk this should speed up the process.
> Mostyn
> "Dave and Miss" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Does anyone out there know an effective technique for growing moss on
> rocks
> > around the waterfall. I'm going for the natural look and would like to
> make
> > them look like they've been there forever. Thanks.....Dave
> > http://photos.yahoo.com/jeepin9557
> >
> >
>
>