Liverworts and primitive sporing plant questions

Emperornibble · #1 03-02-2010, 09:26 PM

I am trying to start a primitive plant viv with tarantulas and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with liverworts and lycopodiums in terrariums?
I know that you can buy them for terrariums but I also know liverworts grow all over the place but are just overlooked, so I can collect them myself. But how to go about propogating them in the tank?
If anyone has any tips let me know!

harrywitmore · #2 03-03-2010, 09:13 AM

I have species of both genera in terrariums. In general Liverworts like bright light and moist conditions. Riccia is a Liverwort. I also grw the common Marchantia polymorpha. It's often found growing in nursery plant pots. It grows very fast given good conditions. Lycopodium/Huperzia will also grow well in terrariums. Many are not happy if disturbed such as many native species. The tropical species do better. I have had great success with 2 small species, pinnifolia and salvinioides. Both are small and have done perfectly in a terrarium for 2 years now.

Epiphile · #3 03-03-2010, 09:58 AM

Harry, did you mount these in your tall tank? I'd love to see a photo if you've got one handy- I went through your old build log here and couldn't find either in the photos there.

harrywitmore · #4 03-03-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epiphile

Harry, did you mount these in your tall tank? I'd love to see a photo if you've got one handy- I went through your old build log here and couldn't find either in the photos there.

They are both in a small 10 gallon vert. The L salvinioides is mounted close to the top and the L pinnifolia is 'planted' in the substrate of sphagnum. They have both been very happy for the last 2 years and have even rooted so I can just take a cutting and grow them. I don;t have pictures of either. Charles Alford usually has them on his list.

Emperornibble · #5 03-07-2010, 04:34 PM

I went to my local garden center with a year round green house and found all kinds of freebies. I found several kinds of moss and a few different kinds of liverwort all for free! I ended up with 2 beer flats full. I'm sure that you could do the same thing since moss and liverworts are considered horticultural weeds and the greenhouses don't want them and people will actually complain about them... Just thought y'all would like to know.

froggsong · #6 03-09-2010, 05:54 AM

Most of those guys look pretty delicate. That means they haven't been growing in the most optimal conditions for moss, which is to be expected in this case. If you spread them out so that none of them are touching and get a fogger going to keep them constantly hydrated, I think they'll start getting more lush and spreading out fairly quickly.

harrywitmore · #7 03-10-2010, 12:00 PM

For those interested, Charles Alford just sent his latest list and he has quite a selection of Lycopodium/Huperzia. You will need to request his list or PM me and I'll send it to you.

Rareferns

beckdg · #8 03-11-2010, 09:47 AM

thanks for the recommendation harry.