International Journal of Horticulture, 2015, Vol.5, No.19 1
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framework is used to provide hold up, these
frameworks of wires are laden with moss taxa that
enhances the beauty also. As a result, not only they
appear as an eye-catching good-looking basket, but
also they lessen the requirement for recurrent watering
(Lohr and Pearson-Mims, 2001).
Terraria
Similar to the container gardens, the terrarium is a
drier plant version of the aquarium. A terrarium is
frequently set like an enclosed minuscule garden.
Owing to its minute size, bryophytes are regularly
used to give the appearance of hills. However,
bryophytes are not straightforward to grow in such
circumstances. If the container is completely open,
mosses quickly dried up and become brittle. If it is
completely closed, fungi can grow without difficulty.
Hence it is recommended to leave the apex partly
open to allow much required circulation of air.
Selection of moss taxa depends on the required
moisture level and effect within the terrarium.
Polytrichum
spp. can endure in a fairly arid terrarium
but will simply be sheltered with fungus when it is too
humid. Similarly,
Leucobryum
spp.
and
Ceratodon
purpureus
prefer good air circulation, which is helpful
to check the growth of the mold, biggest threat to the
terrarium. Schenk (1997) states, "I must tell the
whole truth by identifying the great enemy of
terrarium gardening with native woodlanders, for
there is one: mold." He warned about the short life of
most terraria due to the problem caused by mold.
Hence, moss taxa like,
Funaria hygrometrica
can be
used in extra moist conditions, but it still wants proper
air circulation. For proper air space and circulation the
size of the container is an important parameter
because
small
sized
containers
invariably
contaminated with fungal growth. Charcoal may be
further mixed with the substrate to soak up undue
acidity and gases produced by gradual decomposition.
Moss taxa that are collected sodden normally do not
require extra water and may even have to be dried up
by leaving the terrarium open wide for a few hours.
After that, modest watering is desirable within the
nearly sealed container. Slightly dry mosses can be
moistened with a few tablespoons of water, while
completely dry mosses may need up to 1/4 cup of
water (Schenk, 1997). Upholding for the initial few
days after planting is necessary to shun an instant
mold assault. In the condition of intense dew on the
container walls, container must be open to attain
dryness. The life span of a terrarium can be increased
by the use of fluorescent lights that shun the etiolated
growth that occurs in diffuse light.
Conclusion
Peat mosses have been extensively used in various
horticultural practices as mentioned above. The
structure of bryophytes makes them well appropriate
for bed linen, topiary foundation, hanging baskets and
garlands. Their capacity to absorb moisture makes
them the ultimate material for shipping of plants. They
are used extensively in culture medium for the growth
of exotic orchid.
Sphagnum
and other mosses are
frequently used as top soil conditioners to provide the
perfect medium for retainment of nutrients and their
gradual release following drying. They offer good
fertilizer, particularly when mixed with throw away
products like sewage or fish offal. The cyanophycean
flora of some peat mosses provides extra fixed
nitrogen. Their antimicrobial activities check fungal
growth along with the preservation of moisture. These
remarkable properties well suited for air layering,
good culture media and potting mixes. In forestry the
role of peat is also significant as mosses are frequently
used to culture juvenile seedlings. In food industry
peat mosses are extensively used in mushroom and
morels culture at commercial level. Diminutive moss
taxa are used customarily and effectively in container
gardens for instance, bonsai, where a variety of
mosses are used to imitate diverse features of
minuscule landscapes. Use of moss taxa in terraria is
the most difficult practice due to the threat of fungal
contamination; however, with proper aeration and
vigilant selection of moss species this problem can be
counteracted. Overall, in the field of horticulture, the
use of bryophytes, especially mosses will remain
obligatory.
References
Adderley L., 1965, Two species of moss as culture medium for orchids,
Gard. J. New York Bot. Gard., 15(3): 105-106, 120
Al-Kanani T., Akochi E., MacKenzie A.F., Alli I., Barrington S., 1992,
Organic and inorganic amendments to reduce ammonia losses from
liquid hog manure, J. Environ. Qual., 21: 709-715
Ando H., 1957, Notes on useful bryophytes, Bull. Biol. Soc. Hiroshima
Univ., 7(2): 23-26
Arzeni C.B., 1963,
Octoblepharum
as a seedling medium, Econ. Bot., 17:
