Favorite terrestrial moss?

[hypostatic]

So I've read a lot on the boards how everyone loves java and riccia moss, but do froggers have favorite terrestrial mosses that they like to use in their vivs that don't need to stay consistently wet?

Also, as I walk to work everyday, I can't help but to notice the abundance of sidewalk moss that grows in the cracks of sidewalk. Anyone ever try cultivating these? I'd imagine that they'd be pretty hardy for use in vivs, as they take constant abuse and I imagine they grow in very nutrient poor locations.

[Epikmuffin]

frog moss is also a good choice. I bought from joshfrogs.com

and yeah I tried those side walk moss (cushion moss - Leucobryum I think or maybe rock cap moss). They grew well in my vivarium. I put it on top of fake rocks. work well if you have like a fake river. They are easier than java or ricia. java look better on driftwood. ricia can be good ground cover. thats how i used them.

Also, Im testing scotch moss. I saw they sell them at garden center. They are kinda grass actually.

[fieldnstream]

I had some luck with Bryum argenteum, but it was in a viv that was slightly drier than most dart vivs...may be worth a shot though.

[Zach Valois]

At our retail greenhouse, we get a dried green sphagnum that has been coming back to life for me when used in applications that is can be kept moist. I think this is the same product that Josh's Frogs is selling as frog moss.

From talking to our outdoor employees, it looks like some of the mosses used outside (e.g. 'Scotch Moss'), need a very low cool down to maintain long term.

Blackjungle sells another type that has yielded fair results.

[hypostatic]

Well, I've brought up sidewalk moss because I've read on the boards that some of the members' favorite mosses are the ones that pop up spontaneously in their vivs. I'm guessing that these are local mosses? Maybe sidewalk moss? lol

[Dane]

The only moss I've ever used has been the Hawaiian "Tropical Moss" that BJ sells. I haven't had a need to try anything else!

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by Dane

The only moss I've ever used has been the Hawaiian "Tropical Moss" that BJ sells. I haven't had a need to try anything else!

Is that the same as this moss?
Live Tropical Moss
This one doesn't say if its from hawaii or not

[carola1155]

People from our climate have had mixed success with stuff they find outside. That stuff typically needs a dormant period or it starts to grow weird or die off.

I have had good luck with the BJ sheet moss that I ordered back in 2007... haha I'd offer to send you some but I just built a few tanks so my excess supply is nonexistent until I get some growth. The stuff in the link above looks a bit different)

Most "spontaneous" moss comes from the peat or sphagnum that people place in their vivs. Peat being the usual culprit.

[hypostatic]

Hmmm interesting. So why don't people use more peat or sphagnum moss?

And I did a search on "Hawaiian moss" and found this interesting article about a peat moss forest in Hawaii (species is Sphagnum palustre)

And I've also heard about the dormancy period that's required by temperate mosses. This is a basic transcript from another thread about the subject:

I've looked into thuidium delicatum, and from what I've read it's a temperate moss that usually has a dormancy period during the winter. I've never used it personally, but I've read on that boards that some temperate mosses do very well in tropical tanks for a few months, and then start to go bad for no reason... (the idea being that they die from the lack of dormancy).

Originally Posted by MeiKVR6

Thuidium delicatulum after ~6 Months




2+ Years


Now it's been well over 3 years and it's still going strong... I'm sure it can do well with a dormancy period, but in my experience it doesn't need one to thrive.

[goof901]

i back Mike. Thuidium delicatum is great! i use it as will and have not seen a dormancy period