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Spanish Moss pictures and more
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Posted by brooklyngreg 7a NYC coastal (gchristiangreg@aol.com) on Sun, Nov 22, 09 at 0:02
Sorry for the side angle. I have relocated my spanish moss to my make shift greenhouse. It was one measely piece and grew and grew in the past year and its three decent size pieces. There's one behind it as well. No bugs:) I placed on a thick stick on the olive tree.
Spanish moss at better angle. Its still growing and I mist it or pour water on it. Notice the living color is grey-green.
and this is Penny posing :-)
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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Hi
I grow a great many "Tilandsias" but I'm in florida so big deal lol. There seem to be at least 5 cultivars ,subspecies but all in one species . The most striking is the one that produces large purple rather than small yellow flowers. Even with this difference it's still listed as "usnoides" The family has a huge number of species and an incredible range so is tough to research.
In most of the deep south they are considered "weeds"
but I love em lol.
Beutiful dog!!! gary |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Cute dog. I'm glad your Spanish moss is thriving for you. It should do well in the greenhouse I would think. I've noticed it does require a good deal of airflow or it will die, so I'd keep it stretched out. I tried hanging up a big clump to block my view of the neighbors and some of it died from being too twisted and compacted. Those olive trees are very attractive. |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Hi, What are "Tilandsias"? I admit to trying to block a neighbor once in a while using bushes:) I set up a fan in the greehouse to keep the temp more even and for flow - and I see its important for the Span. moss. I did not know that. Thanks for the tip. |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Tilandias are the family airplants are in. Btw, I like your Spanish moss. It looks great! I got 5 lb off the Internet, but I didn't realize how much 5 lbs were. I don't even know what to do with it, but during the summer it will be hanging on my tree with my other airplants. I can't wait to see how it's going to look! Good luck! |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Hey Guys, I have a silly question about the Spanish Moss...We have Moss around some of the areas of VB..but not like further south...Does the moss cause the tree to "choke" from having it spread throughout the tree? I have seen trees die from all of the moss taking over the tree..especially down in the low country... Savannah and especially Hilton Head SC...I have always been told not to introduce this because it takes over and "Smothers" your tree...Is this true? or is it an old wives tale? Thanks for any info!!! Laura in VB |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Its a native plant so it wont kill a tree or take over. Usually birds and other animals will take it apart and use it for nesting material so thant keeps it controled very well, but if the birds arent present, it can take over a tree and eventually shade it out and kill it. I doubt it would ever hurt a live oak, but Ive seen it on some pretty sick looking crape myrtles so I would keep it away from plants that they dont usually grow on, or plants that are picky. Good luck! |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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Hi
Always hear a lot of debate about that. It is NOT parasitic and only uses the tree for support like all bromeliads. In an appropriate climate it can certainly get dense . I've always suspected the cause of death of the tree is for other reasons. They certainly don't require a living tree .In fact you can grow it on a coat hanger lol
One ?? I've always wondered about was why it's NOT common in s Florida?? So common in the north but begins to thin from about Orlando and is seldom seen in zone 10.
Yet at the same time it is VERY easy to culture here only thing it doesn't do is spread as in northern locations. I suspected it needed a cool rest period but that's not true at all.. Besides it grows all the way into Argentina . Anybody know why??? gary |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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This crepe near our place is a perfect example why moss is not a deterrent to trees, notice how the flowers & leaves just push through the moss near the bottom half of the tree. I've seen it very thick in my area but the trees keep on just like it's hair growing on ones head.
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RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Garyfl, not sure why Spanish moss is less common in South Florida than in the northern part of the state. There ARE other species of Tillandsia (the genus of Spanish moss) that are native to S. Florida. It's not like you can blame it on soil differences (soils, by the way, do differ radically in these two regions). I do know that the moss is an indicator species of very moist areas (maybe S.Florida isn't humid enough during the winter--the north being colder also having a higher relative humidity, ??). There is also the question of plants having differing heat tolerances (measured in the average number to really warm days--is it above 86 F. as I seem to recall). Keep in mind that many other plants become less (or more) prolific as you drive south. Other southern classics as Magnolia grandiflora, camellias, and azaleas also become much rarer as you reach the lower peninsula. Take care! |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Spanish moss adjusts well to cold and drought by going dormant, however it does not like it too cold, hence why it does not spread too far north. I suspect the moss in VB is located in warmer (nites do not bottom out) spots. Someone from VB sent a picture of tons of moss on trees in VB and it was swampy at the bottom. I 'm sure it was a naturally occuring micro climate. Plus introducing it into VB where its likely to survive most costal areas; it would probably spread slowly into the milder areas. Not sure why its not in S. FL but its probably too open and breezy is my guess and not enough deciduous trees. I have seen spanish moss in many places in FL but not so sure in southern parts? |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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It's just a matter of "Spanish moss"finding something to perch on farther south as there are less spreading trees and more palms.
It does grow to the south like in the Everglades/Okeechobee. 
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Here is a link that might be useful: Spanish moss in the Everglades
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| I thought so Jim. Thanks for clearing that up. How's the palm winterizing going? |
RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| I have only put a rain shield up over the cactus and Washy so far.Soil temps still in the mid 50s and no lows below 30(F) yet,no reason to cover yet,just keep the rain off at this point (-:
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RE: Spanish Moss pictures and more
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| Same here for my s. minor. I keeping them generally dry before the cold snaps hit. The others I covered and vented so as not to have to do it at the last minute. |
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