Moss on Chinese Elm

[devenomized]

Hi,

I got some nice moss from South Jersey. I cleaned it and sprayed it with insecticidal soap before I placed on the tree. Please see the video below. Let me know if you think it is a good idea to do this with an Elm or if you think it will trap too much moisture which may not be good for the tree. Also, what are your thoughts about full sun or part shade?

Thanks for looking

[video=youtube;JAeXeJEhqfI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAeXeJEhqfI[/video]

 

[cmeg1]

I prefer cultivating it as explained in this link. http://crataegus.com/?s=The+moss+myth&submit=Search
It starts thin in the cooler weather and thickens up slightly in the hot months.
Mine grew in two weeks from repotting time and I only needs a tiny bit to make it grow, just a dusting since growing on organic soil.

 

[devenomized]

I prefer cultivating it as explained in this link. http://crataegus.com/?s=The+moss+myth&submit=Search
It starts thin in the cooler weather and thickens up slightly in the hot months.
Mine grew in two weeks from repotting time and I only needs a tiny bit to make it grow, just a dusting since growing on organic soil.

I removed the moss today. The soil underneath the moss was moist. My elm's leaves were getting yellow and i think it was because i was watering too much and the moss was like a seal and didn't allow the tree to dry out. The moss i got was pretty thick. it has a thick layer of roots and soil (most sandy type of soil). I removed it and put aside. I'll water the moss and may i'll do something. I need a very thin layer... and i may try your idea.

 

[coppice]

DV, I found a "lawn" of moss really only worked when it was applied breifly before display-exhibition. I pulled most of it off after.

The remainder would wax and wane with the seasons, till it was time to exhibit again.

 

[James H]

Your tree looks great to me. I love the roots that are showing moving through the soil and moss. I like the movement of the trunk and up in to the branches. I was wondering if the moss would need to much water for the tree as I would like to do a display tree similar to yours.

 

[GrimLore]

Hi,

I got some nice moss from South Jersey. I cleaned it and sprayed it with insecticidal soap before I placed on the tree. Please see the video below. Let me know if you think it is a good idea to do this with an Elm or if you think it will trap too much moisture which may not be good for the tree. Also, what are your thoughts about full sun or part shade?

Thanks for looking

I do not live far from you and although we do grow and use moss we only apply it when we have visitors or I am doing a demonstration to dress up the plants. Our Elms enjoy a LOT of water and sun an grow in non organic substrate. Dry Stall looks strange so a bit of crushed colored lave around the base and perhaps at one corner section covers it and the rest is done with moss. We do not leave it on as I do not like guessing about the moisture content of the substrate. Without the substrate being covered you can actually tell looking at it after using it awhile with no need for chopsticks or meters. As I said it looks nice enough and always have some around.

Grimmy

 

[M. Frary]

I put moss on everything. It helps hold moisture and I water everyday. My only problem is moss doesn't like loads of fertilitizer. Turns it black.

 

[devenomized]

I do not live far from you and although we do grow and use moss we only apply it when we have visitors or I am doing a demonstration to dress up the plants. Our Elms enjoy a LOT of water and sun an grow in non organic substrate. Dry Stall looks strange so a bit of crushed colored lave around the base and perhaps at one corner section covers it and the rest is done with moss. We do not leave it on as I do not like guessing about the moisture content of the substrate. Without the substrate being covered you can actually tell looking at it after using it awhile with no need for chopsticks or meters. As I said it looks nice enough and always have some around.

Grimmy

not as much yellow leaves after i removed the moss. i'll admit it looked really nice with the moss. i have a rock on top of the soil that i remove to check if it is dry. when dry under the rock, i water the tree. i still see minimal yellow leaves (up to 4-5 which is nothing). i already saw some new growth. i'll post pics later.

thanks for the reply.