how to trim moss

[Nick16]

what is the best way to do this. if it is on wire at the bottom of the tank and is growing upwards, do you...

1) just mow it and then clump the cut off bits together and tie to something else
2) rip half of what you have off and then have 2 pieces (of slate for example) half covered and wait for the moss to cover the rest?

 

[a1Matt]

definitely no.1

tirm it nice and close, it looks naff at first but after a couple of weeks the edges have grown back and it looks really good.

after a couple of trims it starts to look its best imo\e.

You get a really good dense cover this way. Eventually being able to remove whatever ties you have (for most mosses, if not all)

 

[Nick16]

does moss grow outwards? (horizontally accross rocks etc) becuase i normally trip using no1 (wierd eh!, thats how i do it) and then have to replant next to my existing leaving a bit of a space.
im asking these Q's becuase i will expand my moss collection i think. 😀

 

[a1Matt]

yes, moss will 'creep and cover' but it is a slow process.

Now although I said yes, it does vary a bit with different mosses. I have had willow moss and it has not adhered to anything. Every other moss I have tried has, with fissidens fontanus and taiwan moss adhering really well.

I am currently aiming for a 3foot x 2foot taiwan moss wall. I started with enough moss for a 6" x 6" wall, left that for 3 months. Then ripped it down and created a 2 foot by 2 foot wall. That has been going nearly 2 months. another month and I will make the final size wall. So as oyu can see, patience is needed! (and I need to start resisting the urge to keep giving it away in the meantime 🙄 )