Kyoto Moss Spores

[crentania]

So I've been looking at various mosses to attempt in the tanks and I ran across someone using Kyoto moss. I like the look and I was wondering how difficult the care is compared to other mosses. I've tried Riccia twice and failed (though it might finally be taking off in the completely aquatic environment I threw it in after getting annoyed with it. Typical.)

I've been avoiding Java because it looks like it gets a bit too tall.

Anyone have any suggestions or know what I'm doing wrong or have hints on what I should be getting?

Thanks!

[Julio]

they like to be moist but not wet. and a lot light helps too.

[crentania]

I suppose I won't put them in the waterfall then Thanks!

[Marinarawr]

Kyoto moss is a bit hit or miss from what I've heard and experienced. For me the only significant Kyoto moss growth I've gotten is from chunks of moss mixed in with the spores coming back to life . Some new moss is sprouting up too but not as much as the old moss is spreading.

Here's a little chunk of my background with decent growth on the cork bark:

[crentania]

Wow thanks for the pic! I'll probly just pick up a packet and see what happens then. With the luck I've had with Riccia, I'm pretty certain this stuff will probably be the same. Hehehe.

[brog32]

I picked up three packs of spores on ebay about a year ago. I used two packs in my 44 gal. I saw zero growth for about six or seven months then all the sudden... it grew every where I put spores that got plenty of light, and was wet but well drained. Ill try to get some pics if I can get my camera working.

[earthfrog]

Originally Posted by crentania

So I've been looking at various mosses to attempt in the tanks and I ran across someone using Kyoto moss. I like the look and I was wondering how difficult the care is compared to other mosses. I've tried Riccia twice and failed (though it might finally be taking off in the completely aquatic environment I threw it in after getting annoyed with it. Typical.)

I've been avoiding Java because it looks like it gets a bit too tall.

Anyone have any suggestions or know what I'm doing wrong or have hints on what I should be getting?

Thanks!

I spoke to the man at Maiban Bonsai, where you can get free shipping on Kyoto spores, and he said the best way to start it is to grow it in indirect light from a shade tree outside (but I'm starting mine in a window indoors) in a ventilated container. The substrate should be mostly sand, any kind that's not dyed or has chemicals added, with a little peat moss mixed in---so I guess that means 60% sand, 40% peat moss (you can substitute cocofiber instead). It should be kept moist, but not soggy. It takes 6-8 weeks to germinate and grow into a carpet, so patience is required!

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[earthfrog]

More growing tips:
by
devin mac
Member Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 275


Re: kyoto moss spores...

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This stuff is very commonly used in the bonsai hobby and i've been working with it for probably 9 or 10 years.

the best results i've had with it, were sowing the spores over a moist substrate (i haven't played with different substrates much, and generally just use regular potting soil spread reasonably thinly, maybe an inch deep) fairly generously. one of those packets (usually people are looking at the Joshua Roth spores that comes from the bonsai hobby anyway) should only be used to dover a little more than a square foot of area, for best coverage and quick growth.

using a humidity dome helps a LOT, since the top layer of soil will dry out very quickly and the spores won't thrive. very little light until there's a good carpet of green, and then transferring it into higher light, or light equivalent to what it will see in your tank. keep it misted frequently, only bieng careful to not make a "bog" of mud. the substrate should stay moist all the time, but not get "muddy" or "soupy", if that makes sense. it IS important to keep it reasonably dark until there's some decent growth.

I haven't tried to grow it in the tank itself, but i've had great success with this method, and it transfers easily from the growing tray to wherever you want to put it (which, for me, has always been bonsai).

[earthfrog]

One note here---this moss takes awhile to start, so if the lighting is too bright and you use peat moss to start it, spores of sphagnum/peat will dominate and stagnate its growth---so substituing cocofiber may be better---if you can find a 'sterile' potting soil, more power to ya...

[Tuckinrim8]

Great Info! Thanks Susan!