Moss

[nimmitz]

What's everyone's thoughts on putting live moss on the bottom of an enclosure? Saps up all that extra water, Can't be easily ingested as they are rooted; and if it is ingested, it is small enough.
Would this bring on problems with bacteria? My thought is no, but I could be wrong

Just curious. I'm always looking for new things to try

(I don't mean loose sphagnum or spanish moss. The live moss that has all it's rooty bits and can be planted.)

 

[Kate]

I would be a bit worried about mould. There is a fair amount of water and humidity around. What would you plant the moss in? If you have drainage at the bottom of your viv would you not loose a lot of soil?

 

[nimmitz]

hmmm good point. Perhaps adding a small screened mesh around the drainage area. I would likely put a small amount of rocks around the drainage (like I do on my potted plants), then a some soil (not more than an inch I would think). Pack it down a bit. Add the moss over that. The soil should not drain too much into the drainage system, especially after a while. Otherwise my potted plants would have made a mess by now
And I suppose in order to house the thin layer of soil I might need to reinforce the bottom sides of my screen cage. Maybe, there could be a way around that If I place the moss in the right spots. Moss doesn't need a great deal of soil.
Who knows, lol.

But, whew what a hassle! I think I'll stick to the bare bottom that I have
Sounded like a neat idea in my head

 

[Kate]

hmmm good point. Perhaps adding a small screened mesh around the drainage area. I would likely put a small amount of rocks around the drainage (like I do on my potted plants), then a some soil (not more than an inch I would think). Pack it down a bit. Add the moss over that. The soil should not drain too much into the drainage system, especially after a while. Otherwise my potted plants would have made a mess by now
And I suppose in order to house the thin layer of soil I might need to reinforce the bottom sides of my screen cage. Maybe, there could be a way around that If I place the moss in the right spots. Moss doesn't need a great deal of soil.
Who knows, lol.

But, whew what a hassle! I think I'll stick to the bare bottom that I have
Sounded like a neat idea in my head

Bare bottom sounds good.LOL