Where does moss come from? Is it sustainable?

The moss used in Littlewood Terrariums comes from my own garden and from responsibly collecting some plants in allowed areas. When I started to pay attention to moss, I could see it everywhere! It is amazing how it is present all around us, there is moss in parks, trees, even growing over rocks and walls.

I collected many different species and made terrariums with them. After many experiences, I found out that some species are better suited for life inside glass than others, some give more work because you have to collect dead leaves, and others, as they grow over the dead leaves using them as structure and support, don't give almost any work at all, like my beloved cushion moss.

While learning from trial and error about the plants preferences in a closed environment, I discovered that some combinations as mosses and lichens do not work at all. The presence of lichens will eventually create mold in your terrarium, and will end up by killing the moss.

The more I learned about mosses, collecting and experimenting with different species, I became concerned about the sustainability of working with those amazing little plants. I found out that collecting is fine if you take some individuals of the colony, but not the whole thing. Some moss colonies are huge, so responsible sampling does not cause any harm. Discovering areas where development will happen, and under permission collect some plants is also a good way to preserve them.

Another concern I have is not to work with endangered species. Unfortunately even mosses suffer the consequences of human actions, and there are some species that are fighting to survive. I constantly research about those species in a conscious effort to preserve them.

I also decided not to work anymore with Reindeer moss, because it is considered endangered in many places, even if it is still largely commercialized. The Reindeer moss is actually a lichen, that constitutes one of the important food sources for caribou (reindeer). It grows slowly and an area may take decades to recover after being exploited. So, I chose to take them out of my Dry Terrariums line.

Littlewood Terrariums is deeply committed to preserve our environment, only working with sustainable species.

Below, the mosses at risk listed by Species at Risk Public Registry of Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

• Spoon-leaved Moss

Scientific Name: Bryoandersonia illecebra

More information here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPag/MNR_SAR_SPN_LVD_MSS_EN.html

Image here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/voodoosnakes/5464119226/

• Incurved Grizzled Moss

Scientific Name: Ptychomitrium incurvum

More information here:
http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=734

Image here:
http://plantdb.biology.duke.edu:8080/BryoImages/Ptychomitrium_incurvum/Ptychomitrium_incurvum_66752_h.jpg

• Pygmy Pocket Moss

Scientific Name: Fissidens exilis

More information here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/MNR_SAR_PYGMY_PCKT_MSS_EN.html

Image here:
http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bbs/jds/iow/Fattingpark/Fissidensexilis.jpg

Fishermen

This terrarium was made for somebody that works in a busy office and loves to go fishing during vacations. This little garden is now at the work desk, a scene that relaxes and reminds of good moments in life.

Blue Rose fairy

A fairy living in a glass jar? I think I've already heard something like this before...

This terrarium is an excellent choice for beginners, the glass is resistant, the moss does not need cleaning and almost no water. Place it under shadow with just a few hours of indirect light. Moss loves artificial light, it will be happy with the illumination provided by a desk lamp.

Height: 13,5 cm/ 7"

Late spring for moss

This was a difficult winter in several parts of North America, and most of us wish never to hear the expression “polar vortex” again. Many areas were affected by ice storms, and it's many consequences, including fallen trees and damages in power lines.

But as this spring slowly starts to reveal the woods again, we can realize the long term effects of the ice storm. As I walk through parks and wooded areas of the region, I see all the broken trees, the mess of fallen branches, and the damage in the forest’s ground.

It seems like a late spring for moss, some of the places where last year large colonies were thriving green and strong now are pale and shy, still hidden under dry leaves.

Nature has it’s cycles, and sometimes destruction and chaos are part of it, only to rebuilt and renew everything. Moss is an old and tough little plant, that survives difficult conditions in almost every corner of the planet. It survived other ice storms in the past, and it will come back lush and green again.

But for the moment, we are still waiting for the green moss and the cherry blossoms, that are also late this year.