Spanish moss (which you may already know) is a Bromiliad family species called Tillandsia usneoides. Wikipedia has more information on it at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss

Others may sell T. usneoides, but the only vendor I found for this species was Flowers by the Sea. They are a "biodynamic" farm which produces certified organic plants. I'm not sure, but think they are located in California. I have never done business with them; perhaps someone else on the forum has.

Sweetcicely

Why do you want to grow spanish moss? It is ugly, boring and not that easy to grow outside the tropics. If you want to grow something to accompany your plants which looks great, is very natural and much easier to find and grow, ferns look lovely.

I use it as a dressing to cover labels and ugly pots in displays. Not the tropics, but is easy to grow here. Pity there is the great big big puddle between there and here, otherwise i could send you scads of it.

i have used it to drape the roots of Vandaceous orchids. Not sure if it is effective or not.

Hi Bob - a couple of thoughts. Do you know that live Spanish Moss will live in your conditions?

If not, maybe Flowers by the Sea or your local OS could make some suggestions for another option. Others in your area have got to have the same problem.

Nice to hear from you. Whitecat8

You can buy it from many flower shops. Make sure you ask them for the "LIVE". A lot of lower shops use it to decorate floral arrangements as it doesnt mold or mildew like the dried. Usually the arrangement has died before the spanish moss, then people tend to throw it away

Arthur, thanks for the offer but even if the laws would allow if the postage would be prohibited and then the moss probably wouldn't survive the trip.

Whitecat8, I don't come around much as time is so limited. Once in a while I view a view posts or photos but usually don't have time to respond.

Bob, fear not, this stuff will survive anything. It will survive a week of shopping mall air conditioning without a problem. I agree with Ian? Maidenhair fern looks better but it is RIP after a week in those places.

It grows like a weed here in a shade-house, in a glass-house and outside with full sun till noon, then shade.

My experience tallies with the wiki entry, needs a bit of watering now and then plus a little bit of fertilizer.

Survives in a wide temperature range here and i think the need for a little bit of fertilizer stops it going feral.

Bob have you considered growing the plants in baskets with a rock medium? I grow in a g/h and will not water anything more than once a day either. Here is the only picture I have that almost shows you how I grow the vanda family.

Asco. miniatum {{gwi:148724}}

The original plant was in a 4" vanda basket, roots dangling long and proud but I couldn't get it to bloom. I soaked the roots and placed the entire thing in an 8" basket. It is doing great as is my only big Vanda, tricolor. When the roots escape, I eventually guide them back into the basket.

Brooke

Send me your address via e-mail, and for postage which is $4.80, I will priority-mail you a 5x8x14 box full. Use Spanish Moss in the subject so that it won't disappear into the spam trap. Plenty enough for you to use some and to grow more.

You can get information and purchase Spanish moss at Moss4U.com They have different mosses and information on planting and growing. Their moss is cleaned and sprayed with an organic pesticide. Top quality moss, beautiful greenish gray coloring.