Does anyone in the group know of an person with extensive knowledge about moss? How to transplant it, can it be grown on a roof top, etc. etc. I have a architect in need of consulting with such as person. Many thanks. Verna
I know a thing or two about moss. Don't try to transplant it! It may be possible but it is very very hard. If you don't do it exactly right, the moss will die within a week. Try growing it with spores. If you see a patch of moss with little stems coming out of it, there are spores on those stems and you can collect them. Moss grows best in shady areas with cool dirt and some moisture. But you're growing it on your house, right? In that case, spread a light layer of mud/dirt mixed with moss spores. Spread it over the growing area, and keep it moist. For rooftops, I don't know how to grow it in full sun, that mix and spread way might work, but in shade, you can use little to no mud/dirt. Just spread the spores and keep them moist and the moss should grow!
Hi Verna It sounds like your architect friend is interested in using the moss to create a 'green roof'. That's great! Green Roofs delay rainwater runoff and demand on stormwater systems; improve microclimate; provide wildlife habitat, among other benefits Your architect friend should contact a landscape architect who has experience in designing and specifying green roofs. Moss is not appropriate for use in planting on a green roof. The website and contact information for the BC Society of Landscape Architects is www.bcsla.org Another organization to contact is the BCIT Centre for Advancement of Green Roof Technology. Their website and contact information is http://commons.bcit.ca/greenroof/. Not only must the green roof support the plants but the roof needs to structurally support the plants and growing medium and water! It's possible to retrofit an existing building as well as design a new building to include a green roof. There are different systems to use. You'll architect will need to do some research to determine which system is appropriate to use.
Um, yeah, about my reply, your architect may want to order the seeds from a nursery, instead of gathering them wild...
I did a google search and found a couple websites that your friend might be interested in checking out. The following are a couple of links that I haven't read but they do seem to give instructions on how to responsibly collect moss and grow it. Good Luck http://www.mossacres.com/default.asp http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/design/2004sp_moss.html - Brooklyn Botanic Garden http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/resource_search.php?term=1791 - from the Elizabeth C. Miller Library in Washington State. Your friend could also get in touch with a local natural history expert or university or college researcher that specializes in moss.
