The java moss that isn't?

[jrs]

I traded some plants for Java moss with a fellow who is over here visiting from France.  I got it and it did not look like any Java moss I had ever seen so I did some checking around on the moss and it appears to be actually Singapore moss.  I guess Europeans refer to this as being Java moss while we in North America call our Java moss a different species.  Cool!

Java Moss (pic off the net)


Singapore Moss (pic off the net)


3 pics of the moss that I received:




Any thoughts?

[babblefish1960]

Ooooh!  Well the first thought I have is of course jealousy, it is clear you will continue to be bringing many not often seen plants into the area, that is a very good thing.  I know that jetstream brought some really nice mosses back with him from China, and you two should definitely talk.  He is the resident authority locally on mosses.   I believe the variety you possess requires much cooler temperatures, so do let us know how it is doing after a time.

[jrs]

I was talking to Charlie on the phone and he mentioned this fellow to me.  I will have to pm him and strike up a conversation.

[babblefish1960]

Jetstream is very friendly and very open about what he knows and doesn't know, I am sure you two will have lots to talk about.   The moss you photographed appears like one of the ones he has, though there are many, but it is familiar.  Good luck with it.

[Vizerdrix]

I second what Babble said: DROOL!!!

So, how long until I can trade/buy some off you...

[Fishnut]

who is this guy from France and how can I meet him?

**Fishnut stares enviously at the pics....

[jrs]

Unfortunately the shipping window is closed now with the colder weather setting in.  Express post for people near me is next day delivery.  For the Ottawa region it takes the full two days which is too long without heat packs.  Perhaps in the spring.

I just received some Süßwassertang, Taiwan and Weeping moss today as well.  I will have to see how they grow out.

[jetstream]

By co-incident, I read an article about Java moss. Will try to find out where I read it. The one that you received I guess is the so call classic Java moss Vesicularia dubyana or called Sinpagore moss in Asia. The one at the top is the new Java Moss Taxiphyllum barbieri. The reason that the old one got replaced by the new one is, the Taxiphyllum barbieri grew much faster and propagated faster than the classic Java moss. I think the German (European) discovered the moss and bought it to the fish hobby long times ago, that's why you still can find the classic one in Europe. You can use the above two names do some research or even send a sample to Dr Tan at University of Singapore. He'll be very happy verify it for you with his specialty knowledge. I think Dr. Tan wrote few books and published lots of articles about mosses, you can check that out too. Hope above will help!

[PaleoFishGirl]

Here's some more info on that, Jetstream (the article was from Aquatic Gardener):

http://www.killies.com/Truthaboutmosses.htm
http://www.killies.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=17092#17092