Explore Plants

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - July 28, 2011

From: Dunnellon, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Propagation
Title: Air layering with Spanish moss from Dunnellon FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is it possible to air layer plant cuttings using Spanish Moss instead of Sphagum Moss? I have a yard full! Thanks

ANSWER:

We searched on sites about air layering (listed below, with links) and found no mention of using any other material than sphagnum moss, apparently because it soaks up moisture and holds it around the area. If you feel like experimenting, you could always try it, we have no personal experience in the process, nor with Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss), which is native to your area. In spite of the similarity in their common names, they are not closely related; Spanish Moss is a member of the Bromeliaceae or airplant family, and sphagnum moss is a member of the Sphagnaceae family. More information and pictures on sphagnum moss.

Texas A&M Horticulture Air Layeriing

Iowa State University How to air layer a houseplant

Florida Gardener Air Layering

 

 

From the Image Gallery

More Propagation Questions

How to Propagate Mountain Laurel by Seed
January 02, 2003 - How do I propagate mountain laurel by seed?
view the full question and answer

Hand pollinating watermelon grown indoors in Denver
July 06, 2009 - Hi! I'm growing watermelon indoors and I was wondering if I had to self pollinate it? Their flowers just started blooming! If so, how do I go about doing this? Thank you so much!
view the full question and answer

Transplanting Cornus sericea by sprouts in Maryland
November 21, 2008 - I would like to transplant suckers of a red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). When is the best time to do it (before or during dormancy)? How big of a root system does each sucker need to survive? Where ...
view the full question and answer

No female, hence, no squash.
September 07, 2008 - This is not a wild flower but. My grandchildren left a squash outside in a corner of a flower bed. This spring it grew. There are only male flowers, many of them, but no female, hence, no squash. Why...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of indoor plants for school project
January 28, 2008 - I have an assignment for school that requires that I get two indoor plants. One has to grow in water and one has to grow in soil. Each plant needs to grow at a fast pace, and at about the same pace....
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.