Carpet Plants

by Robert Paul Hudson
from Robert's web site in Salem Oregon: Aquabotanic.com
Aquarticles

- Riccia
- Java Moss
- Willow Moss
- Glossostigma
- Microsword

All of these plants can be used to make stunning and intriguing displays with a moss or carpet-like affect!

Riccia rocks, caves and wood
Riccia fluitans is a floating plant that can be used to create the illusion of moss-covered rocks and wood. Take a rock or piece of wood and wrap a clump of Riccia around it. Then wrap it with a hair net. Secure the hair net with nylon thread. Cotton thread will decompose. Keep the Riccia trimmed close to the netting to keep it secure and prevent the lower levels from turning brown. All the clippings can be re-used so you have an endless supply! The Riccia clumps may also be intertwined with Java Moss to add a darker color to the mass. Java Moss actually grows into long strands that do eventually adhere to wood or rock on their own accord, however if not secured initially it will float away and adhere to whatever it comes into contact with. Riccia usually remains as very short strands interlocking together, but does not adhere to any surface, and as it grows out clumps will break away and float to the surface.

These moss rocks can be placed in the foreground, middle ground, or on terraces to create unique visual effects. Most any object can be covered in this way. I have used it to cover clay breeder caves to create a more natural looking area for cave spawning fish. Even filter tubes can be covered! Just remember you will need to get at it to trim it about every two weeks. In my opinion Riccia does best in bright light: 3 watts or higher per gallon of water, unless you have very shallow tanks. When considering color contrast, remember that Riccia is a light yellow-green plant.

Java Moss
Java Moss has many neat uses as a decorating plant. Its dark color can be used to fill in gaps to create dark areas and help give the illusion of depth, and since it only requires low light levels and shade, you don't have to be concerned about light when deciding where to place it. I would be very careful however in using it around lawn-like grass plants. It will entwine through out the "lawn" looking like hair algae and choking the grass plants. I use it primarily around rocky hills, cliffs and terraces. Unlike Riccia, it is heavy enough to sink to the bottom, but light enough to be carried by current around the tank if not watched carefully.

Willow Moss
Willow Moss is a bit darker than Riccia, (similar to Java Moss) and makes yet another interesting carpet affect in the foreground or to fill in gaps around rocks and wood. Its very easy to grow, requiring only moderate light or higher, and can be affixed to rocks or wood in the same way as Riccia. It does tend to adhere to rock or wood, but should be secured.

Glossostigma is a short-stemmed plant with tiny, dainty leafs that creates an interesting carpet if the stems are planted deep enough to prevent the plant form growing upward and too tall. It will send out runners. Requiring moderate to bright light, it should not be shaded.

Growing grass plants on logs!
Have a cut square of microsword, (usually available in "sod" like squares from suppliers). Take a nylon filter media bag and fill it with enough gravel or clay litter so that when you lay the bag flat the gravel is an inch or two deep. Wrap this around a piece of wood and secure with nylon thread or string. Cover this medium with microsword squares using cotton thread. The thread eventually dissolves and the microsword will be well rooted into the filter bag. Periodically you can inject fertilizer into the bag without having to remove anything.

Send comments or suggestions to robert@aquabotanic.com