Which mosses can attach themselves to rocks and driftwood?

[andyg]

Hello everyone,

Is it true that erect moss and most others can't attach themselves to rocks and driftwood etc? That might explain my poor results with this moss. I could not get it to stick to the driftwood. Also the growth was not very pleasing to look at; just straight fronds with no branching.

I ended up placing it on a stone and tightly covering it with a hairnet, just like some might do with Riccia. I stopped after the death of two of my Otto’s which were caught in the hairnet.

Which mosses can attach themselves to rocks and driftwood and what methods of attachment best suit the individual varieties?

Regards,

Andy

[timebomb]

Yes, it is true, Andy. The Erect Moss can't attach itself to rocks or driftwoods. If grown well, it will eventually become too bouyant and float to the surface. As far as I know, Java Moss is the best *attacher* of all the aquarium mosses we know . Other than on the glass itself, it can grow on any surface in our tanks. I have some in my tanks that have attached themselves to the silicone at the corners. Taiwan Moss, a Taxiphyllum like Java can attach itself too but it can't do this strongly.

Vesicularia's like the Singapore and Christmas Mosses can cling to rough surfaces but they are nowhere close to Java's ability to attach itself. As far as I know, mosses uses rhizoids to stick themselves to the surface with which they are grown on so I'm kind of puzzled why other than Java, the others don't stick as well. I'll see if the professor can throw some light on this the next time I meet him.

Loh K L

[Green Baron]

Singapore, Java and Erect moss will all attach to rough surface. The problem is as get bushy, the inner 'stems' which do not get sufficient light will turn brown and thus lose their grip.

This happens to most mosses, even to Java moss but more prevalent with Erect Moss as it requires more light.