Epiphytic mosses? These were growing on trees? Or rocks?
Or were they just covering branches or rocks?
Epiphytic mosses are a tough bunch and despite occurring in what are seen as high rain fall areas generally are more exposed to drier conditions than their shady woods cousins.
Their survival may not be due as much to the difference in the natural rainfall but due to both the temperature ranges they are exposed to and to the quality of the water you are using to water them and to the frequency of that watering. Also they may be able to survive if put onto a substrate such as cypress mulch, osmunda, or a sand/coir mix. I would suggest that you try to grow them before adapting them to horticultural use. For true epiphytes I would recommend trying using a synthetic felt (that has been dampened first) onto which you have spread a sample of the moss that has been allowed to dry to the point where you can crumble it up in you hands. use only distilled or r/o water and mist at least every other day, with the felt being kept inside some container and in shade. Check the link below for more info
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Here is a link that might be useful: New Moss Gardening