scleranthus as a moss replacement

[Jamie]

hey all has anyone seen this. its called scleranthus biflorus it is a ground cover that has the apperance of moss. but isnt as dependent on moisture. it isnt a major spreading cover that can be cut out and used else where. i havent tried it yet but have been meaning to.
i seen it on better homes and gardens a few weeks back.

any thoughts??

[FlyBri]

Gday Jamie!

I'd be wary of using a plant like Scleranthus with Bonsai... Any plant which sends roots down into the soil of your tree will effectively be competing with it for space and nutrients. I often see plants such as Pealrwort (Sagina spcies) left in pots at Bonsai nurseries and wonder if the people in charge really know what they are doing... Sure, it forms a nice carpet over the soil, but its fibrous roots fill every available space in the soil.

Just a warning.

Fly.

[Pup]

Listen to the Fly Jamie, any thing that competes for nutrients with your Bonsai is, a big problem. You never know whether your fertiliser is going where you want it also what bugs are being hidden.

[Joel]

I have used Scleranthus uniflorus (even finer growth and biflorus) on top of a pot as an experiment. The roots dont penetrate as deep as other species (like Sagina procumbens, a weed i have had trouble with previously). Honestly, i prefer the look of moss. However, I'm definitely not throwing this stuff away. I cant wait to try a Sakei with it. If you fert regularly, and check how deep it gets when you repot, it might be ok. Its the best moss alternative ive found anyway.

JayC

*EDIT* It is often sold as "Bunyip Buttons", and is a native of NZ.

[Jamie]

i havent used it yet. i actually havent even seen it in the nurseries either. i thought the same thing bout it competeing for nutrients and trace elements, i was curious to whether any one has used it. mixed results obviously.
on landscapes i think it would make a great addition.
my issue with moss is that it seems to dry up and turn to dust no matter what i try. whether it is drying winds. humidity, or to much direct sunlight. but i would love to have it back on my display trees as they are just soil or a top coat of fine gravel.
any help with this problem would be great, i just cant seem to keep the stuff alive, this is why i as wondering about scleranthus.
so any help with the situation would be greatly appreciated people!

thanks for the replies for both con and pro to by the way

[Joel]

How do you source your moss? What are the conditions that species is used to? If you go deep into the bush, and pull some thick dark moss from a cave or dark area, it will usually not survive. The moss growing between cracks in paving in the sun, or on top of tiles on the roof are suited to the hot/dry/full sun conditions that are present in a a bonsai pot.

JayC

[FlyBri]

my issue with moss is that it seems to dry up and turn to dust no matter what i try... any help with this problem would be great, i just cant seem to keep the stuff alive, this is why i as wondering about scleranthus.

Gday Jamie!

I'm not 100% sure of this, but I am of the belief that many keep a tray of moss growing in a sheltered, moist position, and only place it onto the soil for the purposes of display and/or photography. It is widely stated on the Interwebs that if you are providing conditions that are good for your moss, they are likely not good conditions for your trees.

I hope this helps.

Fly.

[Jamie]

that makes sense. what your saying is i shouldnt be to concerned about the moss unless i am display my trees or taking photos of them.
i dont want to risk the health of my trees for someing that is superficial for looks as such

[tr3nt29]

I had star grass growing through a lot of my pots before I realised it was severely degrading the quality of my soil. (Not falling for that one again) From now on its moss or nothing, just my opinion.

Good topic Jamie.

[Petra]

Try a piece of fine fake grass . Cover the edges, and on top lightly. Just for picture purpose it works just fine.
You just need to find someone who uses it and ask them for a piece. cheers!:D

[Jamie]

yea i tried something along those lines trent, found it would try choke out everything else.
petra-when you say fake grass i assume you mean along the lines of astro turf??
for photography purposes i cant see why this wouldnt work. have to see how it comes out on pic tho. you might be able to pic something like that? light reflection maybe?


this thread seems to have posed a good opinion base and advice for people. im liking it.

[LLK]

Yes, I've twice tried Scleranthus, which was for sale at the local garden centre. The label said it was a native of Tasmania, so I put it in a native landscape. Twice it died. The only thing I discovered is that it likes to be planted on gravel and that it covers rocks, but that still wasn't enough to keep it alive.

LLK

[Jamie]

this is interesting as its supposedly hardy and doesnt need much water..
now on the note of being planted on gravel and rock would indicate a very shallow root system..
which tends to make me think it wouldnt be to bad..but on the other hand it would still be competing for nutrients and such

[Greth]

Yes the roots are shallow, this is the 'cushion grass, which forms those amazing green mounds. I have kept it outside in Adelaide for years on end, not terribly water sensitive, but it can die off in (usually ugly) patches. It will tend to start forming bumps and mounds of its own after a while, which would disturb the 'look' you are trying to achieve with the bonsai.
Sorry to have revived this thread so late, just got around to reading this bit!