Generally, growing pretty much anything involves planting a few seeds and then moving on with your life. When it comes to developing something from spores, however, the impression is that it is much more complicated.
In all honesty, growing kyoto moss from spores does require a little more care and attention than most other things but if you follow a few simple steps you shouldn’t have too many issues.
If you are keen to develop this moss for your bonsais then you have come to the right place, we have constructed this guide to assist you on the way to success.
What Is Kyoto Moss?
Kyoto moss is a species of bryum moss which gets its name because it is commonly growing in gardens in Kyoto, Japan.
However, there are many kinds of bryum moss that grow all over the world, and many bonsai lovers would tell you to use a native species.
However, since the art of bonsai is Japanese, there are plenty of people who want to have something that represents the culture as closely as possible.
For reference – bryum moss is the largest genus of moss with over 1000 species, however, this genus was split into three separate groups in 2005. Regardless, all of them collectively have shorter thicker and rounder stems than other moss species.
Despite kyoto moss can have several uses, the most common usage is to use it as a decoration of the soil of a bonsai tree container.
Why Use Kyoto Moss For Bonsai Trees?
Moss is not always viewed as a good growth for plants but that all depends on what you are growing.
With regard to the bonsai tree, kyoto moss is a great addition to the plant, and there are plenty of reasons to consider it.
First of all, literally the presence of kyoto moss will produce a more realistic looking plant with many bonsai tree artists focusing on making the tree look full sized.
Kyoto moss will aid in this process. Even for the person that may even prefer a rockier planting to their tree, kyoto moss allows you to add texture and depth.
It should be noted that growers should be cognizant of not allowing the moss to grow up the trunk of the bonsai tree.
Another great reason to consider using kyoto moss on your bonsai is that it would allow the soil to retain moisture more easily.
You will have the luxury of knowing that your plant would not suffer from dehydration.
Additionally, you will able to water your tree less frequently which means less work.
That being said, and don’t forget, is that the key to growing a bonsai is plenty of moisture so don’t fall into the trap of thinking having kyoto moss means you don’t need to water anymore; it would be harmful to the plant!
Ultimately I believe kyoto moss will provide better insulation for your bonsai plant.
In the winter, it will help retain heat, while in the summer it will help the soil stay cool. This will be better for root health as it will provide better protection.
How To Grow Kyoto Moss From Spores
You can purchase packets of spores online and in stores if you want to grow kyoto moss from spores from.
The nice thing about the packets is that they are often zip-locked, which means they have an essentially indefinite shelf life.
If you are not using them all if you decide to wait or are not going to use all of them at a time you will have no fire use them all.
The spores are not usually difficult to grow but there are a few things that you can do to ensure the choice is greatest.
Here are some of the suggestions!
Take It Easy
Don’t go crazy and use the whole packet of moss spores.
Most packets will say how many square feet of moss spores you can cover.
If you are just adding them to a little dish, you will not need the 3-square-foot packet.
Keep in mind that if you do put the entire contents, the spores will be competing against each other for nutrients and you will have less success. They may not even grow at all.
Other Materials To Use
Many people will grow their kyoto moss spores directly in the soil of the bonsai container; however, it is not the only option.
You are able to grow it separately then put it into the bonsai planter later.
To accomplish this, you need a material that kyoto moss spores can grow on.
Bark or gravel are good materials to start with, but one option that is popular is actually more moss! Yes; sphagnum moss is an incredibly good material for growing kyoto moss spores.
Watering The Soil
Be sure the soil is nice and hydrated so that the spores can take hold.
Water the soil and let it absorb completely, then you can put in the spores.
Moist soil will assure better growth, but it will also make sure that the spores do not get washed away or blown away during these early stages.
Do You Need To Fertilize Kyoto Moss?
It is absolutely feasible to cultivate your kyoto moss spores without anything else added.
However, one of the most effective techniques that is proven to provide an excellent start to moss growth is to use rice water.
This is as simple as cooking some rice and rinsing it then using the rinse water, in a spray bottle, to mist or cover the moss spores in.
If there are spores leftover from the packet, it might be a good idea to add some to the rice water to help enhance fertilization.
Lighting Needs
Light is one of the key requirements for moss growth, especially during the initial growth stages.
Many people keep their bonsai inside, which is fine, but you’ll want to move it outside for a couple of days to ensure that the spores get the required light.
However, you do not want to place the container in direct sunlight because it will dry out the soil much quicker.
You must continue to check the soil to be sure it remains moist, especially because even the indirect sunlight can remove moisture quickly.
Conclusion
Cultivating Kyoto moss spores can be pretty easy if you have the right method.
Once your moss has established, it has some massive benefits for your bonsais, as it helps retain moisture, insulates the tree, and has a natural appearance.
Following this guide you will have established a good covering of moss in about four weeks.