Here's one way of doing it, I've heard that grinding moss up in a blender with either yogurt or buttermilk and then painting it on works too.

Annette

Here is a link that might be useful: Moss on.....

I saw a recipe for growing moss on "Rebecca's Garden" several years ago. The woman put a small amount of moss into a kitchen blender and added quite a bit of buttermilk. She said that moss would grow wherever the buttermilk was applied. She claimed it could not fail.

I haven't seen the busts you mention. Are they actually statues?

Lorna

The main thing mosses need is damp and shade. If moss grows readily in your area it will probably work for you. If not, you will need to supply the moisture and shade. Moss grows on my concrete trough but I live in the PNW where is mostly damp.

Libby

Here are some links to 'faux moss' on resin and fiberglass. Could that be what you saw?

Faux Moss on fiberglass and resin Urn

Go Here and click on #13

I have moss growing on old bricks, stones, pieces of weathered wood, but only a faint green glow of algae on my 5 year old concrete bunny and none at all on a two year old concrete statue of 'little boy and girl with umbrella' -- not that I haven't tried.

Real moss covered objects must be kept in shade, BTW. Here's a great link to FAQ on the moss forum.
Nell

Here is a link that might be useful: Moss Forum

Nell the picture 13 only has a little moss look. These things were dark green fuzzy from top to bottom. They were heads and shoulder busts. I did not pick one up so I don't know if they were realy concrete but for the price of close to 100 dollars they should be.
Libby I have the rabbits in full shade so I think it might work.
Lorna and Annette I think I will try the buttermilk.

I wish I had taken a picture maybe next time I get there. I was hoping someone had tried this or knew what the profesionals do.

Thanks for all your help. Amy

I wonder if the busts you saw were terra cotta, or unglazed porcelain? Clay pots and porcelain pieces seem to grow moss more quickly.

Well, it's gotten my attention. I'm going to mix up some clay, moss bits and buttermilk (but NOT in my blender) and 'paint' my little umbrella boy and girl again. Maybe I'll even bury them in the leaf mold for a while, the stepping stone rocks with moss are greener where leaves blew over them for the last of winter.
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I think the trick is to get a thin layer of dirt over the concrete so the moss adheres better. Umbrella boy and girl are finished too smoothly.

Nell