I have been photographing moss over the past weeks. I am interested in the way it grows, popping up in the most rugged sort of places. It seems like such a resilient species, spreading its seeds via wind, thriving in small cracks, concrete, asphalt and... carpet?

It is so beautiful!

PROPAGATION PROCESS PHOTOS:

<< "FOUND" MOSS

SUPPLIES >>

- PLASTIC CONTAINER
- LUMPWOOD CHARCOAL
- GRAVEL
- CARBON FIBREGLASS WINDOWSCREEN
- DISTILLED WATER
- POTTING SOIL
- LED BULB
- OUTLET TIMER FOR LIGHT

<< INITIAL RINSE

<< FALSE BOTTOM SET UP

<< SECOND RINSE

THIRD RINSE >>

SARAH'S MOSS WORLD! FULL SETUP!

PROGRESS PICTURES:

update 1 >

update 2 >

WHILE the moss is thriving, there is mold growing! - i may need to address this by adding some springtails
(creatures that eat away at the mold) ------->

UPDATE 3:

Unfortunately while I was away for two weeks during the holidays, I was unable to care for my moss in the way I had been previously. The moss was thriving before I left, but when I got back the shorter moss had completely lost it's colour. It is still alive and I am trying to bring it back but I am not sure what will happen. On the other hand, the taller moss is doing very well.

I did not invest in any springtails (to control the mold) before leaving because I felt my container was not secure enough and I didn't want to let a bunch of critters free to roam while I was gone.

Since most of my moss is looking a bit sad right now, I have a different plan for how I will continue this project over the semester.

See below!

NEXT STEPS!!

The way I see this project progressing is to transplant the moss that is still doing well into a fully enclosed, living terrarium with springtails and perhaps some other plants that will do will in such an environment.

I held off on putting springtails in my container because while they cannot really infest your house or do any harm, I am a bit squeamish with bugs and want to make sure they will not be able to escape. This will require me finding or purchasing a casing that can be sealed.

Enclosed terrariums function like mini ecosystems, and once you seal them, you do not have to do any more work. It's pretty amazing!

Next steps: Purchase springtails, glass terrarium and some small plants to include.

VISUAL EXAMPLES OF ENCLOSED, LIVING TERRARIUMS:

DISASSEMBLING THE PROPAGATED MOSS CONTAINER:

As you can see, some of the moss came back to life which was a pleasant surprise! I tossed the brown moss in the garbage and kept the green moss to build my living terrarium.

After removing the moss from the original container, I removed the false bottom. I threw out the soil and charcoal because it had some mold growing. I then sanitized the pebbles and carbon fibre screen in hot water and vinegar. This step will allow me to re-use these items in the living terrarium.

I finally purchased the springtails! They are so tiny and way less repulsive than I thought they would be. They're actually kind of cute?

BUILDING THE LIVING TERRARIUM:

I bought two plants to add to the terrarium. I specifically searched for plants that do well in closed terrarium environments. I ended up with ivy and african violets. However, due to the size of the glass container I purchased, I could only add small clippings and I am not sure if they will survive. Time will tell! I also collected some small items for landscaping the terrarium (a rock, a seashell and a small piece of driftwood)!

Here you can see the glass jar with the pebbles and carbon fibre screen inside >

After putting down the layer of pebbles and screen, next came the charcoal and springtails.

Next is a layer of soil and tropical substrate mixed together.

THE FINAL PRODUCT: