A tutorial on moss

“got shade? Grow moss.”

-moss acres

Acrocarpous and Pleurocarpous

Acrocarps are usually unbranched and erect, forming a mounded colony. Acrocarps are slower growing than Pleurocarps.

Pleurocarps tend to grow in a freely branching fashion.

 

Acrocarps do not regenerate from fragments as quickly as pleurocarps, and due to the thickness of Acrocarp mosses they are less prone to weeds.

Pleurocarps quickly regenerate from broken fragments. 

Pleurocarps quick attachment to stone and growth rate makes them better for colonizing hard surfaces. Maintenance of Pleurocarps is easier due to their matting tendencies and low even profile, blowing debris off of them is easier. Pleurocarps can be used as a nursery for Acrocarps, once an area is colonized by these pioneer mosses, the slower growing Acrocarps can more easily spread.

Steps for growing

1. Remove any existing plants/ debris that are unwanted, (particularly weeds and grasses)

Grade and contour

 

2. Mosses are not particular about the type of soil they are planted in, but to ensure a successful growing rate and high reproduction mosses need to be able to attach to the soil and move across the surface easily.

Divide and fragment  

4. The tearing and shredding to divide or fragment signals the moss to begin new growth. The first order of business for the divisions or fragments is to re-anchor themselves to the surface.

Water and walk

-Spread the fragments onto the prepared and lightly scratched soil.

-Water to wet the first inch of soil and then press firmly to provide good contact.

-Water fragments 1-4 times a day and walk on top of plantings to keep their contact with the soil.

watering schedule

Months 1 and 2–water daily for up to two months to promote

growth.

Month 3–water every three days for one month.

Month 4–water once a week for one month.

Month 5–water twice a month then until the area is fully covered in moss.

After that, water only when rain has been absent for three weeks or more.