Growing terrestrial moss underwater

[Jess]

Anyone here tried this?

Sounds like a fun experiment :) I found a couple of different types by a creek and thought "Hey, why not?". So they're sitting in a glass of water on my bathroom windowsill.

I know that in most cases terrestrial moss won't survive underwater, but has anyone ever had any success?

[Loach]

Most aquarium mosses are terrestrial at the start :). I guess some work and some dont...

[Guest ANTHONYRAE]

Here's a word of encouragement.In Australia there are NO obligate aquatic mosses.However,many of our terrestrial mosses can easily grow submerse.When you collect mosses from the footpath,damp walls etc near where you live,here are some things to look for.I always take note of the ones that spread over bricks or sandstone.They will generally use rhizoids to attach to their host making them suitable for ornamental cultivation.If you spot large clumps of dry moss,check again to see how quickly the moss responds to rain [or an atomiser].Some will rapidly soak up the water and expand to their normal shape,turning green as you watch.After a few days rain,these are the mosses that have grown in the water and will prove adaptable.

Some mosses are reluctant to adapt to submerse life.See if you can imitate nature with a waterfall effect in your tank and a splash area to the side.Many mosses will take to this position because of the high levels of oxygen and CO2 in the splash line.Constant misting in this way will replicate the conditions that a lot of mosses and ferns prefer...Not to mention Hc etc.

And don't feel that our mosses can't compare with those you see in books.I was surprised to find that in the forests of our north east coast,grow no less than 10 species of Fissidens.

[Jess]

Thanks Anthony, that definitely is enouraging! And very interesting too, I didn't realise how many species of Fissidens we had

And that's an excellent idea, trying to recreate their natural environment with a waterfall. I will definitely persist with attempting to grow the mosses submersed

[NoGi]

This stuff grows in my retaining wall:

[Jess]

That's a lovely looking Moss! :)

Did some research into local mosses then went out and collected a good variety of specimens today. I've got them in a container of water at the moment, so it should be interesting to see how they're doing in a month :)