live moss

[scream-aim-fire]

i collected some live moss from out in the woods would it be safe to put in my viv?

[Rodney]

Where are you located and is there s possibility that it could have been exposed to pesticides etc?

[scream-aim-fire]

i live in GA, and on about 22 acres of land, the moss came from the middle of the woods so i dont think that there is anyway it could have came in contact with pesticides. is pesticides the only thing that i would have to worry about with this moss? what about bacteria, or parasites?

[Rodney]

Those are all things to be concerned with but more importantly the fact that the moss you got goes through a dormant period during the winter season so that would be the biggest problem. -sent from my verizon wireless blackberry

[Dendro Dave]

not all mosses especially in the southern united states go through a dormant period. i've seen mosses growing under snow in the middle of winter here in oklahoma... And have found several varieties that do well in vivs.

Mainly the concern is bacteria, viruses, and bugs or eggs of bugs (and snails) that would be a pest in the vivarium. Its probably best to wash it off maybe even use hot water (though dont let it soak in hot water) and put it in a quarunteen viv to see if any nasty bugs appear. Viruses and bacteria are gonna be harder if not impossible to get rid of...its a risk you take. Most people dont experience any problems. might try a 10% bleach solution like many do for regular plants but i think i've heard mosses dont tolerate that well...maybe try 5% ???

[RBroskie]

ive collected my moss here in florida, and some from alabama, both of which have done really well. give it a good rinse and put it in your tank. where do you think the people selling moss get it from? outside somewhere! :twisted:

[scream-aim-fire]

ive collected my moss here in florida, and some from alabama, both of which have done really well. give it a good rinse and put it in your tank. where do you think the people selling moss get it from? outside somewhere!

lol i was thinkin the same thing, the moss has to come from outside somewhere. i think ill rinse it off like you said and give it a try.

[candm519]

Some people (me included--and I don't even have frogs!) keep separate quarantine/grow tanks, to try out things like mosses, or to grow out plants that may be contaminated for clean cuttings, or to let cycle to check for disease or bugs, or to make more/bigger plants before putting them in the 'real' tank. I usually just use moist sphagnum over leca, or try different soil mixes to see how a plant will adapt. Glad company makes enough different sized containers for all sorts of trials; just put the small ones in a clear baggie or cover with saran.