Miniature Moss Gardens. Megumi Oshima
attention. There are many ways to enjoy moss. One is in the form of kokedama moss balls, in which moss is wrapped in a ball around the roots of a plant. Another is kokebonsai, where small plants and moss are planted together in a pot. Majestic natural beauty and nostalgic woodlands can be replicated in moss tray scenery, and moss planted in transparent containers, or terrariums, takes on a life of its own.
In this book, we will explain what moss is, how to grow it successfully, how to make various miniature moss gardens and how to care for them. Whether you have fallen for the charm of moss and want to try growing it yourself, or have bought a kokedama at a gardening store but are not sure how to look after it, or have tried growing moss before but it turned brown and dried up, this book will give advice and help you enjoy this very satisfying hobby and maintain an interest in it.
In our busy everyday lives, irrespective of the changing seasons, the eternal green of moss soothes the soul. Simply gazing at it can bring about a warm, relaxed feeling. Why not try adding a bit of calming moss to your own busy life?
POP QUIZ
How Much Do You Know About Moss?
1. Moss likes sunshine. Yes/No
2. Moss is not found only in natural surroundings but can be seen in cities too. Yes/No
3. Moss has a kind of root system. Yes/No
4. Moss does not need fertilizer. Yes/No
5. Moss changes its appearance when it absorbs water. Yes/No
INTRODUCING
Kokedama—This moss ball is a bit cheeky but is honest and kind at the roots. In this book, he acts as a spokesperson for all kinds of moss from many different places.
1. Yes. Moss needs more than water to grow.
2. Yes. Moss can grow on concrete, so is often seen in cities.
3. Yes. However, they do not serve the function of absorbing
nutrients and are called rhizoids.
4. Yes. When moss is sick, it should be given a revitalizing
agent, not a fertilizer.
5. Yes. As soon as water is sprayed on moss, its leaves open.
Chapter 1
An Introduction to Moss
Nice to meet you!
“Is moss even a plant?”
“Are all green things mosses?”
This simple introduction is for those who are not sure of the differences between the various types of moss.
What is Moss?
Soft and green, moss is a delightful plant. Properly looked after, it can be with you for years. However, moss has slightly different characteristics from other plants. A good understanding of its peculiarities and structure will help you cultivate moss well.
The Characteristics of Moss and How It Spreads
The plant generally called moss is classified as Musci. It is one of three types of bryophyte, the simplest of all land-dwelling plants. There are over 20,000 varieties, or species, worldwide. Nearly all mosses are perennial and evergreen and can therefore be enjoyed all year round.
It is often assumed that mosses like damp, dark places, but they are actually extremely fond of bright places. Like ferns, seed plants and other plants, mosses need nutrients that come from photosynthesizing sunlight in order to live. They are more similar to the fern family than to seed plants because mosses do not multiply via seeds but via spores. Large numbers of spores develop in the sac-like calyptra at the end of the stem-like seta and are released into the wind when they reach maturity.
MOSS KNOWLEDGE IN THIS CHAPTER
① Characteristics
② Body structure
③ Types of moss
MOSS TIPS
☑ There are a lot of different types
Of the mosses classified as bryophytes, more than 2,500 types, or species, grow in Japan alone.
☑ They perform photosynthesis
They create the nutrients they need to survive through photosynthesis, so they cannot live without sunlight.
☑ They multiply via spores
Mosses do not bear flowers or fruit so do not have seeds. Instead, they release spores to multiply.
The Structure of Moss
Referred to as the epidermis, or outer layer, of the earth, moss is thought to have evolved from algae, which spends its entire life cycle in water and is one of the most primitive forms of plant life. For this reason, moss has leaves and stems which can absorb water rapidly but has not yet developed a root system. Instead it has clusters of rhizoids that resemble beards, which help to provide stability to the body of the plant, to anchor it. These do not serve the function of absorbing moisture or nutrients. Most mosses form masses which work to mutually support individual plants and prevent them from falling off surfaces.
Moss is also lacking in a moisture-storing organ, so the space between masses of moss serves the vital function of holding water reserves.
Three Types of Moss
Moss is a bryophyte, which can be broadly divided into three types: Musci, Hepaticae and Anthocerotae. In gardening, all three are commonly referred to as mosses.
Musci (mosses) can generally be recognized by the clear distinction between their leaves and stem, with some types having upright stems and others lying on the surface of the ground. They include mosses such as Sphagnum and Hypnaceae. Musci are very suitable for kokedama and moss bonsai.
Hepaticae (liverworts) are distinguished by their overall softness. They grow best in shady places and near water. They do poorly in dry conditions.
Anthocerotae (hornworts) are known in Japanese as “horn moss.” As the name suggests, this moss has pointed spore-bearing branches that resemble horns. It prefers sunlit damp ground. Within the three types of moss, there have been fewer discoveries of Anthocerotae varieties than the other two.
Leaves and stems are distinct, with some stems upright and others lying flat on the ground.
Dislikes dry conditions and grows best in shaded, humid places and near water.
Their spore-bearing branches resemble pointed horns. Of the three main classes of bryophytes, there have been fewer discoveries of Anthocerotae.
MOSS TIPS
☑ It has no roots
As the most primitive plant on earth, it has only established leaves and stems.
☑