Carpeting Without Slate.

[jonnyf84]

Hi all,

I have just read Jimbooo's pinned topic on growing riccia and java moss on slate, this is great but i don't want slate on top of my substrate, is it possible to grow riccia or java moss straight into the fine gravel, if so, how?

If not what plants can i easily grow into the substrate that will create a carpet of green?



Many Thanks.

Jonny

 

[aaronnorth]

how about using a mesh, like this:

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/PLANT-ANCHOR-NETTING...id=p3286.c0.m14

you wont be able to grow it onto the gravel, unless it attaches itslef which will be pretty hard for it to do!

 

[jonnyf84]

is there no other way to carpet the forground directly into the substrate, not even with other plants?


Can you not just place the java moss or riccia on the gravel then tie down with a hair net?


With this method wouldn't decaying plant matter, fish waste and food gather and rot under the net, therefore not been used by plants but creating ammonia and nitrite instead?

 

[aaronnorth]

pellia would be your only option as it sinks, but even still it will be hard to keep it in the same position

once the moss covers the mesh, you wont see it.

you could do it with a hair net, but gravel moves and it is fairly smooth so it will take time for it to ataach.

rotting plant matter will produce ammonia, which plants will use but it will also trigger algae! fish waste produce nitrates & phosphates too.

why dont you want to use the mesh grid?

 

[jonnyf84]

why dont you want to use the mesh grid?

I'm not totally against it but i want to got for a 100% natural look. How about if i got larger heavy gravel?

 

[aaronnorth]

it dpends how large, you will be needing stones rather than gravel lol.

 

[jonnyf84]

it dpends how large, you will be needing stones rather than gravel lol.

Haha, thats not a bad idea!!!! Golf ball sized stones covered with moss with the pellia growing in between, nice one Aaron