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Currently I have a dendrobium and phalenopsis in a thirty gallon hexagonal growing in as epiphytes. Currently the roots are covered with a damp sphagnum moss to encourage growth and attachment, but I haven't been able to get the moss to come out of its dormant state just yet and was considering replacing it down the road with Java moss. My only concern before I do this however, is whether or not the java moss will become parasitic or can remain neutral or symbiotic. Any thoughts or related experiences would be greatly appreciated.
It is my understanding that javamoss will prefer a much wetter environment then your orchid roots would tolerate. I don't have any first hand experience with javamoss however.
It may tolerate a drier climate but just not spread out and invade the place like it would if it were kept wetter.
Be careful with moss on roots, especially phals. I find that in a vivarium/terrarium, very little moss is needed for most orchids, provided the humidity is high enough. Too much moss will make the roots rot in a hurry.
I have Java Moss alive in air with just a small bit of it laying in water. It can live in lesser wet conition as long as some part of the system has that water reserve. It took time to get it established like that. If one part breaks off from another and non of the broken off section is in just a little bit of water it will die.
The part living in air must cling to something and is stedfast. You can't scrape it off. It seems to be pretty destructive. Mine is climbing up a small wall. I feel it would not allow the roots of an orchid to breathe.
Their needs are too different. It might work with a Mandevilla like orchid, it would work but I still feel it would over come the orchid. Barb
many of the miniatures, especially those without pseudbulbs or super thick water retaining leaves, dont mind moss covering the roots. i actually have a bulbophyllum that is growing in a matt of pretty wet moss and is taking off for me!
Epiphytic Orchids
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