People use fishing line to mount plants like orchids on bark or whatever. I don't know much about tying knots but if you can learn to make a slipknot that would be a good method for attatching vines.

CooperDR

Tying knots that's easy I have been fishing for over 60 years.

I use 15lb line to tie plants onto wood and rocks in the Aquarium.

I am looking for a method of fixing plants mainly mosses to the styrene backing.

Keith

Hi Keith,
There are some nice fast drying epoxy products that are safe for air plants and bromeliads. Maybe something like that would be good for your project. But, I think your mosses are going to need something organic to attach to, like bark or a sandy soil. I've never seen moss grow on gravel. I'm no expert, but I have a few terrariums. I hope that helps!

green thumb-tacks maybe?

Thank you for the replies.

I can kick start by growing them on wild Sphag Moss.

Glues I use a safe Contact Gel Grip for my Tills.

For some stupid reason I was thinking about what could I use and never though of thumb tacks.

Mosses will grow over rocks once they get established and kept moist.

Keith

Keith, though I personally have never tried it, I have known folks who swear by the buttermilk method to jumpstart mosses where they want them. Live moss is put in a blender along with buttermilk and blended into a slurry. This then is "painted" with a brush onto the surfaces one wishes mosses to grow. A hand mister/atomizer/spray bottle can be used to water the slurry without washing it all away.

{{gwi:2131711}}

Paul,

One of the most viral and ridiculous suggestions (not you, the "suggestion") is the "buttermilk/yogurt slurry" or "moss milkshake" being sold.

The only thing this mixture produces is mold and every time I see it, I can't believe how this completely erroneous information has proliferated over the web. Moss, like lichens suffer from over-care and people wanting instant results.

Moss spores, from a reputable seller like Joshua Roth Moss Spores, are the easiest thing in the world to grow, but the spores take as long as three months to start showing signs of life.

Moss (and lichens) have no root system, so need very little soil (1/4 - 1/2 inch), but the soil must be fine (I sift mine through a fine wire strainer) and level for the moss to take hold.

The moss spores are sprinkled evenly, but NOT densely, over the top of the lightly misted soil. A super fine layer of sifted soil can then go over the top of the spores, but carefully not to disturb the layer below.

Placing a dome (any clear plastic or glass bowl or serving dish) over the top to keep the soil moist (never wet) and placing in moderate light or under the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb (I use 7 watt CFLs that produce 40 watts of light) and WAITING for perhaps months for some life, is the only way to go. I do not suggest plastic wrap, because static from the wrap and super-fine soil along with spores, will cling to the wrap instead of the soil.

Misting with a super fine spray from about 12 inches over the bedding, occasionally, is the only care needed. Find a spot and don't move it. Less is eternally more with moss.

See link below for professional information.

Here is a link that might be useful: How-To Grow Moss

I was so distracted by the repulsive "moss slurry", I forgot to add the link for ferns.

You can easily spend hours on this site below and it takes some getting used to the navigation, so I linked you directly to "Ferns and Allies". Each listing gives you the height, tolerance and care.

Check the "SHOP" tab and look through all the various ways to search this marvelous site!

Here is a link that might be useful: Ferns and Allies

This is possibly where it all started

http://www.nymeta.co/guy-coolest-possibly-illegal-diy-project-ever-end-result-genius/?utm_source=cv&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=cooldiycv

Looks like I started something here at least it will get posters thinking.

Thank you for the links.

The biggest problem is finding plants in Australia I am safe as a allowed to have in my state some areas are highly restricted.

Keith

Have no idea where "moss slurries" started online as I only noticed it this past year. Was living in the EU prior to that, where we ate yogurt daily, not mixing it with moss and smearing it on walls... ;-)

Ah! Your page has you listed in the US, but was a bit baffled by the "Vic" zone, thinking it was for Victoria, BC, so while the moss link can help, the Fern page can just give you ideas of what is available.

I think the only thing that may be banned in certain areas here is Kudzu. We have, "Introduced, Invasive, and Noxious Plants", but nothing about not being able to plant them, well, except those illegal "weeds" and in some states, even that is legal...

Do you know the reasoning behind the restrictions? Just curious as I think it's rather unfair.

Here is a link that might be useful: âThe Vine That Ate the Southâ Heads North

Sparrow

I tried to update my membership info but it will not allow me no matter what I do, I will try to Contact Us and see if I can change it.

Yes I am in the land of OZ Aust

A lot has to do with the possible transporting diseases via plant material or it is considered a noxious/invasive weed.

With plant lists as long as I can get the Scientific name that is all I require.

Keith

Keith

We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Garden Web!

Understandable.

Back to your original question, I have a few small pieces of ivy (small leafed) in the corners of my 20" x 10" x 12" glass terrarium to give it height. It's easy to grow and the leaf size can be kept small and in control, by pinching off the top leaves.

Basically, any moisture loving plant will be happy in a terrarium and if you buy seedlings not over 3 to 4", you can always control the growth with pinching.

You may also want to consider Spanish moss, which is also a climber, but really needs to be controlled as you don't want it taking over the other plants. If you can confine it to the walls/sides and use it sparingly, it will add a nice touch.

I have about 10 small clumps of a variety of mosses, some from the wild, some from spore and some purchased. My lichens are not doing as well as I had hoped and it is my conclusion that lichens need to stay outside and not happy in indoor terrariums. A couple ground lichens are doing well on a large piece of moss covered bark, but the more colorful and unusual lichens are slowing dying off.

Gypsophila 'Baby's Breath', can be planted directly in the terrarium, but again, sparingly. Rather too little than too much. I like growing from seed as you have complete control right from the beginning.

Violets can also be used and can add a variety of beautiful color. There are many different varieties and colors of violets to choose from. (See below link for ideas).

My base is 2" of river pebbles, then a 1" layer of charcoal, then a piece of screen on top of the charcoal and finally, a layer of soil that I built up at different heights from 1/2" to 5". The mosses and lichens are in the shallow parts, while the little ferns are in the deeper soil. I'm not using any resins or plastics.

The trick is not to pack the terrarium, but to plant sparsely to allow for growth and be able to easily access and control ALL the plants. Too much water will rot everything and too many plants will eventually strangle each other or worse, create a happy home for a variety of little bugs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Terrarium & Miniature Plants

Sparrow

I actually have Lichen growing very well in the 45lt Terrascape, I broke a few twigs of a fruit tree and it never died off.

I also have Spanish Moss in the same tank going OK but a very slow grower.

Baby's Breath we have grown that in the garden and it can grow into a good sized bush.

For added colour I might be adding a few mini Cyclamens.

As some of my plants will be planted in pots 3 Japanese Maples Bonsai, and 3 small bulbs that must dry out when dormant the potting soil will be about 5-6ins deep to give me a good drainage, all the watering will be done via a tube from underneath the soil using an Under Gravel Filter all over the base of the 5ft tank.
Under gravel filter
Google "Undergravelfilter" its all one word.

Keith

This post was edited by keithgh on Tue, Dec 23, 14 at 3:12