11/11/2024
Moss Prop Workshop follow up 💚
First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this class!! I was absolutely blown away by the number of people who came to hear me talk about plants, some of you for the second time! 🥹
🌿Plant ID photos and names will be posted in the comments soon! Feel free to share pics of your prop boxes for help with identification🌿
Here’s some info to help you out on your propagation journey. These tips are useful for anyone interested in moss propagation, not just those who came to class.
1. Moisture level should stay wet but not soaked. Use a small container or sprayer to cover the top layer for even absorption through your container. A bit of warmth can help speed up the process, heating mats are very useful but some get very warm. You don’t want to overheat your plants, just raise the temp a degree or two. This is optional.
2. Some algae growth may happen and is harmless. It’s uncommon, but the sphagnum moss itself can grow, also harmless and very cool! Brown or black moss, fuzzy areas or a smell indicate mold. Replace with fresh moss, or transfer cuttings to water.
3. Don’t be afraid to check your cuttings every few days. Gently move the moss to look for signs of new roots. Look at your stem for any browning or softness. A very slight “tug test” will tell you if your cuttings are rooting without removing completely.
4. Move things around as needed. Use bits of moss to cover exposed nodes, reposition cuttings for space or stability, chop cuttings smaller if you want more plants. Split up cuttings into multiple boxes if you’d like, plastic takeout containers are great prop boxes!! All cuttings provided will also propagate in water and can be transfered after a quick rinse if desired.
5. Propagation shock happens, don’t panic 💚 Watch for signs of plant decline like drooping or yellowing leaves, and soft or browning stem areas. Trim away any mushy stem and sterilize your cutting in a glass of 50/50 water and hydrogen peroxide mix for 15 minutes. Leaf loss is not the end of your cutting, if there are signs of new roots and/or firm stem, it’s still growing. Reach out for any advice 🌿
6. Moss removal is easier with hydrated moss. This will be about 1-2 months from now. Not all cuttings will root at the same time, you can put some back in your prop box if they’re not ready. Plan ahead, wait until your prop box is ready for watering, give it a deep soak for a couple hours & start the removal process. Be patient & take your time. Work with the thickest roots first and slowly remove the moss bits. Try to remove as much moss as possible, too much moss remaining around the roots can lead to potential rot problems after soil transfer. You will likely lose some roots in this process, it’s better to work with cuttings that have at least 2 inches of root growth. Final removal can be easier by soaking your cuttings in a 50/50 water & hydrogen peroxide mix. If you feel frustrated, take a break and come back to it 😉
7. Ask me anything!! Please feel free to message or comment on this thread for additional help. Propagating plants is both rewarding and challenging, I am here to help make the process as successful as possible 💚🌿
If you missed out on this class, don’t worry! Another class is scheduling in a few months! Don’t miss out on the fun, new classes posting soon 👀 💖
