Comments on: Make your own mossarium! http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: franko http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697863 franko Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697863 i think i'll move on from the mossarium trend and be early in on the moldarium trend. i think i’ll move on from the mossarium trend and be early in on the moldarium trend.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698643 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698643 I've made moss terrariums in the past, and there's definitely one thing to keep in mind - try not to dig up moss from swampy areas. No amount of charcoal will cut that swamp-stink in your jar (which is mighty horrible when you need to refresh it). I’ve made moss terrariums in the past, and there’s definitely one thing to keep in mind – try not to dig up moss from swampy areas. No amount of charcoal will cut that swamp-stink in your jar (which is mighty horrible when you need to refresh it).

]]> By: Chrs http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697632 Chrs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697632 That top type of moss is the most consistently surviving that I've tried. If you're somewhere wet, a good rule of thumb is that if it grows well on a lawn, it will do well in your jar. That top type of moss is the most consistently surviving that I’ve tried. If you’re somewhere wet, a good rule of thumb is that if it grows well on a lawn, it will do well in your jar.

]]> By: Beelzebuddy http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697888 Beelzebuddy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697888 You've already been beaten to the punch: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/01/06/suburban-family-disc.html You’ve already been beaten to the punch:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/01/06/suburban-family-disc.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697642 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697642 Another interesting to try along these lines is growing slime molds. Another interesting to try along these lines is growing slime molds.

]]> By: scifijazznik http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697646 scifijazznik Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697646 Were they frippery fairies? Were they frippery fairies?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697652 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697652 I like "mossoleum" I like “mossoleum”

]]> By: Day Vexx http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697655 Day Vexx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697655 What does the charcoal do? What does the charcoal do?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698168 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698168 I just love making moss terrariums and here in B.C. (much like Seattle) there are about a bazillion different types of the stuff. My terrariums are more like dioramas though as I make my own frippery....I used to do set and costume design for theatre so get a kick out of making "alien pastoral scenes". I just love making moss terrariums and here in B.C. (much like Seattle) there are about a bazillion different types of the stuff. My terrariums are more like dioramas though as I make my own frippery….I used to do set and costume design for theatre so get a kick out of making “alien pastoral scenes”.

]]> By: Xeno http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697667 Xeno Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697667 We have a mossarium in Seattle. It's CALLED Seattle. Enjoy! We have a mossarium in Seattle. It’s CALLED Seattle. Enjoy!

]]> By: Jessamyn West http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697672 Jessamyn West Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697672 Charcoal keeps molds from growing in the damp parts that are not moss or other growing stuff. Sorry, should have mentioned that. Charcoal keeps molds from growing in the damp parts that are not moss or other growing stuff. Sorry, should have mentioned that.

]]> By: Ito Kagehisa http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697932 Ito Kagehisa Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697932 I weeded out all the grass from my north yard and it is now just a big sheet of various kinds of moss. Really pretty, never needs mowing, and it doesn't die if you don't get around to raking the fall leaves off it for a couple months. I weeded out all the grass from my north yard and it is now just a big sheet of various kinds of moss. Really pretty, never needs mowing, and it doesn’t die if you don’t get around to raking the fall leaves off it for a couple months.

]]> By: arkizzle / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697683 arkizzle / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697683 "<i>frippery, to taste</i>" Perfect :) “frippery, to taste”

Perfect :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697705 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697705 Was it just my part of the US that was loopy, or did anyone else's mom make one of these in the early 70s? Seems like there were glass-jar mossariums EVERYWHERE for a few years. Was it just my part of the US that was loopy, or did anyone else’s mom make one of these in the early 70s?

Seems like there were glass-jar mossariums EVERYWHERE for a few years.

]]> By: Pantograph http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698219 Pantograph Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698219 Fishtanks are green... Oh you mean a well maintained fishtank. Nevermind. Fishtanks are green…
Oh you mean a well maintained fishtank. Nevermind.

]]> By: flyingnowhere http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697708 flyingnowhere Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697708 Made one last night. Fun stuff. http://twitter.com/flyingnowhere/statuses/8238034539 Made one last night. Fun stuff. http://twitter.com/flyingnowhere/statuses/8238034539

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697964 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697964 An excellent field guide for Pacific Northwest mosses is: Schoffield, W.B. 1992. Some Common Mosses of British Columbia 2nd ed. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia Be aware that mosses are not like other plants and not all mosses have the same requirements. Some are very finicky regarding soil chemistry and water while some of the common varieties count as weeds. Avoid commercial fertilizers - mosses are very sensitive to some of the micronutrients! It WILL kill them! Airborn debris and an occasional pinch of fresh soil will be plenty. A final word is to be moderate with your water. While many mosses are dependent on wet conditions, the glass enclosure may maintain a higher than tolerable humidity and result in algae/fungi/bacteria out-competing and smothering your moss. I've maintained moss and lichen micro-gardens on and off for about 10 years. The easiest and most satisfying moss garden design for me was to simply transplant a patch of moss from the dark recesses of the yard into a wooden basin and leave it on the back porch. Trim when it needed and water if it gets too dry. Have fun and enjoy! Robert- p.s. I'm not an expert, merely a casual hobbyist (with some botany experience) but I am open to questions/comments. You're welcome to contact me at: rkr at pdx dot edu An excellent field guide for Pacific Northwest mosses is:

Schoffield, W.B. 1992. Some Common Mosses of British Columbia 2nd ed. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia

Be aware that mosses are not like other plants and not all mosses have the same requirements. Some are very finicky regarding soil chemistry and water while some of the common varieties count as weeds.

Avoid commercial fertilizers – mosses are very sensitive to some of the micronutrients! It WILL kill them! Airborn debris and an occasional pinch of fresh soil will be plenty.

A final word is to be moderate with your water. While many mosses are dependent on wet conditions, the glass enclosure may maintain a higher than tolerable humidity and result in algae/fungi/bacteria out-competing and smothering your moss.

I’ve maintained moss and lichen micro-gardens on and off for about 10 years. The easiest and most satisfying moss garden design for me was to simply transplant a patch of moss from the dark recesses of the yard into a wooden basin and leave it on the back porch. Trim when it needed and water if it gets too dry.

Have fun and enjoy!

Robert-

p.s. I’m not an expert, merely a casual hobbyist (with some botany experience) but I am open to questions/comments.
You’re welcome to contact me at:
rkr at pdx dot edu

]]> By: Leonieke http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-696694 Leonieke Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-696694 Great tips - reminded me of last week's Martha Stewart Show! http://www.marthastewart.com/article/fairyland-terrarium Though she added fairies ;-) Great tips – reminded me of last week’s Martha Stewart Show!
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/fairyland-terrarium

Though she added fairies ;-)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698242 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698242 can i use regular charcoal? the ones i use for grilling. can i use regular charcoal? the ones i use for grilling.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-699268 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-699268 Why does it need the lid on it? Why does it need the lid on it?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698760 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698760 Avoid regular (bbq) charcoal. Activated charcoal is special/purified/stabilized. It acts as a chemical sponge that absorbs organic compounds (they make you drink it in the ER in the case of poisoning/pill OD). BBQ charcoal is burned wood with all of the impurities still there and will raise the pH of your terrarium (i.e. it will make the water really alkaline, like bleach or soap). Robert- Avoid regular (bbq) charcoal. Activated charcoal is special/purified/stabilized. It acts as a chemical sponge that absorbs organic compounds (they make you drink it in the ER in the case of poisoning/pill OD). BBQ charcoal is burned wood with all of the impurities still there and will raise the pH of your terrarium (i.e. it will make the water really alkaline, like bleach or soap).

Robert-

]]> By: rkr http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-701577 rkr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-701577 You don't need to leave the lid on and, in fact, the moss would benefit from an occasional breath of fresh air. Moss (like other plants) take sunlight and turn it into their food (photosynthesis). That reaction uses carbon dioxide and produces oxygen as a byproduct. However to actually eat the food, they use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide (just like animals - we breath out carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product). Since no reaction is 100% efficient, the products don't quite balance out and there's like other stuff also living in that little habitat (like fungus and bacteria) oxygen gets used up more than carbon dioxide. An occasional airing replenishes the low levels. Hope this helps. Robert- You don’t need to leave the lid on and, in fact, the moss would benefit from an occasional breath of fresh air. Moss (like other plants) take sunlight and turn it into their food (photosynthesis). That reaction uses carbon dioxide and produces oxygen as a byproduct. However to actually eat the food, they use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide (just like animals – we breath out carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product). Since no reaction is 100% efficient, the products don’t quite balance out and there’s like other stuff also living in that little habitat (like fungus and bacteria) oxygen gets used up more than carbon dioxide. An occasional airing replenishes the low levels.

Hope this helps.

Robert-

]]> By: Pendrift http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697739 Pendrift Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697739 Can you use the stuff from Brita filters for the activated charcoal? Can you use the stuff from Brita filters for the activated charcoal?

]]> By: Jessamyn West http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-697755 Jessamyn West Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-697755 Yep, pretty sure it's the same stuff. Obviously use it before you've used the filter, not after. Yep, pretty sure it’s the same stuff. Obviously use it before you’ve used the filter, not after.

]]> By: Day Vexx http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698273 Day Vexx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698273 I had a fun time making a very small one yesterday afternoon! I took a walk and found some various mosses, which came up nicely with the aid of a butter knife. I also found some dried pine needles, which I used in place of the dried moss bedding. Nice white gravel from the driveway worked out well for the rocky layer, and I located a <A HREF="http://bonnemamanpreserves.com/i/large/bonne-maman-strawberry-preserves.jpg">faceted jam jar</A> to contain everything. Along the way, I found a field of wild grasses I had not previously known about, and walked through my town's private golf course for the first time. I have more moss to work with, so I'm going to be scouting for a larger and more interesting jar in the next few days. Thanks for this idea, it was fun! I had a fun time making a very small one yesterday afternoon! I took a walk and found some various mosses, which came up nicely with the aid of a butter knife. I also found some dried pine needles, which I used in place of the dried moss bedding. Nice white gravel from the driveway worked out well for the rocky layer, and I located a faceted jam jar to contain everything.

Along the way, I found a field of wild grasses I had not previously known about, and walked through my town’s private golf course for the first time. I have more moss to work with, so I’m going to be scouting for a larger and more interesting jar in the next few days.

Thanks for this idea, it was fun!

]]> By: stegodon http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-699554 stegodon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-699554 to maintain moisture to maintain moisture

]]> By: mellowknees http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698025 mellowknees Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698025 btw, you can get small bags of activated charcoal from most garden supply and "one stop" type stores (like Fred Meyer here in the beautiful and moss-laden Pacific NW). I recently bought some to use in making a terrarium, but now I think I'm going to make a mossarium instead! This is really cool! btw, you can get small bags of activated charcoal from most garden supply and “one stop” type stores (like Fred Meyer here in the beautiful and moss-laden Pacific NW). I recently bought some to use in making a terrarium, but now I think I’m going to make a mossarium instead! This is really cool!

]]> By: Cruxx http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-701615 Cruxx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-701615 If you really like the moss theme, check out the doom metal band Moss: http://www.myspace.com/cthonicrites They move at about the speed that moss grows. If you really like the moss theme, check out the doom metal band Moss: http://www.myspace.com/cthonicrites

They move at about the speed that moss grows.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-700596 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-700596 Do you keep the lid on your jar? how does the moss breathe? And is it sanitary (I don't want to plead with my mom to keep it indoors)? Do you keep the lid on your jar? how does the moss breathe? And is it sanitary (I don’t want to plead with my mom to keep it indoors)?

]]> By: GatoRanch http://boingboing.net/2010/01/26/make-your-own-mossarium.html#comment-698824 GatoRanch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-698824 Great info and photos! I've made terrariums and mossarium years back. Really great for the Winter to bring a little life to your house. And holy crap, I have that same vintage Kennedy pencil sharpener as in photo three! I've never seen anyone else with one. Great info and photos! I’ve made terrariums and mossarium years back. Really great for the Winter to bring a little life to your house.

And holy crap, I have that same vintage Kennedy pencil sharpener as in photo three! I’ve never seen anyone else with one.

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