Spanish Moss

[miamicuse]

I can't seem to get Spanish moss to establish on my trees or palms.  They will last about a month then wilt/disintegrate.

Yet they seem to thrive on trees in parking lots, trees that are not maintained or even irrigated.

What's the trick?

[Manalto]

I'd like to know the answer to this too. Savannah, Georgia, which has a similar climate to Mobile, is dripping with Spanish moss. 

Spanish moss is present here but only in relatively uncommon, inexplicable (by me) pockets. They're not necessarily near bodies of water or in particularly protected (or exposed) areas as far as I can tell, but where moss is growing, it flourishes.

I do know that it prefers certain species to grow on, live oak being its #1 choice.

Edited December 15, 2021 by Manalto

[Scott W]

Why?  Never known anyone to intentionally try to grow this on their trees   I think it's unsightly, hides the beauty of most trees it covers.  Also eventually overgrows many trees and destroys the tree, especially crepe myrtles, at least in my experience.  Grows like a weed naturally though on most oaks.

[Manalto]

With all due respect, perhaps not everyone shares your opinion of Spanish moss as unsightly. It may kill some species but it has coexisted with live oak for centuries.

Edited December 15, 2021 by Manalto

[miamicuse]

I think it is useful as a way to soften some hard edges.

For example some of my orchids in hanging baskets I put some Spanish moss loosely to obscure part of the baskets.  When I mount Orchids to trees or palms I used to add some Spanish moss to hide the string ties, although I don't do that anymore.

It may also be useful as a way to provide additional shade or wind protection to a specific area in the yard.

But mostly curious why it always die off eventually when I used them.

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 12/15/2021 at 2:47 PM, miamicuse said:

I think it is useful as a way to soften some hard edges.

For example some of my orchids in hanging baskets I put some Spanish moss loosely to obscure part of the baskets.  When I mount Orchids to trees or palms I used to add some Spanish moss to hide the string ties, although I don't do that anymore.

It may also be useful as a way to provide additional shade or wind protection to a specific area in the yard.

But mostly curious why it always die off eventually when I used them.

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Only reason i could think of that it would die off is being too dry? ..but,  that doesn't seem right, esp. there in FL. where it is plenty humid year round.. Have taken the stuff from FL to CA and been able to keep it alive ..until Finches / Sparrows decided it makes great nesting material, lol..

Only thing i could say is keep trying, and collect large clumps of the stuff, vs. small pieces.. Instead of tying to a tree branch, gently lay it over it.  Know the seeds will try and grow on window screens and before i left FL. had numerous small Tillandsia starting to grow on some of my potted Bursera ( Relatives of Gumbo Limbo ) ..so the stuff can establish itself w/ out too much difficulty on it's own.. 

While certainly not limited to.. very true Oaks seem to be preferred " prime real estate space " for Spanish Moss ...and many other Epiphytic Bromeliads, Orchids, etc... 

[miamicuse]

Here is some Spanish moss tangled with the roots of an orchid, the orchid is tied to the trunk of a palm.