Spanish moss as potting medium

Ann Herrington (annh@airmail.net)
Thu, 18 Jul 1996 13:37:27 -0500

I tried Spanish moss as a medium for growing epiphytic ferns in wire
baskets several years ago. The moss dies quickly, the spongy gray covering
of the strands rots away, and only the inner wiry "string" is left.
Evidently the moss needs good exposure to air (after all, it _is_ an
epiphyte) to thrive. I use it in the greenhouse for shading. I simply hang
it on a wire along the inside wall and it grows (and blooms) beautifully.
It's easy to move around if you want to change the shading in one spot. I
haven't had any trouble at all with spider mites or any other insects on
it. I have enough to share with a few people if anyone wants a start (USA
only, please). No charge, except for postage.

Ann in Dallas, TX, USA
annh@airmail.net