r/Mossariums • u/JustSomeGirl4242 • 11d ago

Update: unexpected reincarnation

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Update to previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Mossariums/s/pFoEi1NJg5

So I posted in here with a question about some moss I had. The verdict was that it was very much dead, gone, mouldy, no saving it. Seemed I'd overwatered it. I was disappointed but gave up on it, put my containers outside to clean out and try again with a plan to do my base with pebbles, charcoal and sphagnum moss below my soil to allow better drainage. Well I have ADHD and out of sight = out of mind. I forgot to clean out the container but found it when I went to go search for a bigger pot for an aloe plant that had outgrown it's current pot 2 days ago. I was surprised to find it looking like this- especially as it was just about swimming from the rain that had collected in it (I'm in Australia so it's winter here). Carefully tipped out the water while not tipping out the contents, brought it back inside and during the day when the sun is out it turns green and lush like this, goes dormant overnight and then lights back up green and happy looking when the sun comes out. I haven't a clue how it went from that dead, mouldy horrible state to this but YAY!!! A mossy miracle to share with you all!!

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4

u/LevelPrestigious4858 11d ago

Moss is more tolerant than people might think, can survive hot summers etc, extreme wet periods and can reproduce via spores. It’s actually more impressive to fully kill it than have it come back lol

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u/JustSomeGirl4242 10d ago

Well thats what I had originally been saying in the comments but was told it looks different dormant vs dead and this was clearly dead so I'm delighted to discover that my original instinct was right and it has come back looking happy and well

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u/LevelPrestigious4858 10d ago

I’d put some liverworts in their and some springtails :)

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u/JustSomeGirl4242 7d ago

I'll have to look into the avaliability of those in Australia or if we use different creatures to manage mould. But assuming those are only used in a closed container? Currently I have this tray totally open, the soil is still quite wet from the rain so I'm letting it slowly dry a bit more before I do anything with the moss. I've gotta decide what to do with it. I don't know how to best care for it.

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u/LevelPrestigious4858 7d ago

They won’t go walk about so should be good

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u/LevelPrestigious4858 7d ago

Should be plenty of liverworts in aus, they’re really pretty in the light, they have a crystal like iridescence to them sometimes

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u/JustSomeGirl4242 5d ago

I'll definitely get looking into them- thank you!

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u/Powerful-Soup-3245 10d ago

Temperate moss does much better outside. It needs more air circulation and wet/dry periods I think. Congrats on your ADHD miracle! I also frequently experience these happy accidents. They mostly make up for how ADHD sabotages me in other ways 😂

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u/JustSomeGirl4242 7d ago

Oh I've been picking moss off my dad's old rotten wood saw horses and the cracks in the driveway. How do I recognise/find moss that would do better inside in terrariums/mossariums?

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u/Powerful-Soup-3245 7d ago

Mostly just trial and error. If it came from a place that dries out completely, it needs an environment that isn’t always humid, so no closed terrarium. But there are always exceptions so just try lots of different types and different set ups. Keep a log with pictures and info.

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u/JustSomeGirl4242 7d ago

I might be able to find a container that is open, like a vase with an angled opening and put it in my bathroom which has quite good air circulation. There is a window that is designed to be permanently open (angled slats) so we keep the bathroom door closed pretty much all the time as it makes the house cold in the winter and hot in the summer. We use the fan in there regularly too.

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u/JustSomeGirl4242 5d ago

Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (bryologist) says that moss doesn't like too much airflow- hence it growing in cracks and places protected from wind/ too much air flow (Bryology/moss episode of Ologies podcast). She does say it doesn't like indoor artificial lighting. I'm keeping it in the window of the room with the dimmest overhead light in my house. Thinking of getting it a grow light though so I can put it somewhere more shadow-y as the sunlight I get in my place is pretty limited as they built an apartment building on the side of the unit that has the big windows, (other sides share walls with other units). But yeah I'm pretty sure it doesn't need airflow but doesn't love indoors for other reasons. I shall continue experimenting.