Bryozoan (Sagina) is a member of the Clove family, which has about 20-30 different herbaceous plant forms. The plant grows preferably in the northern regions, but some specimens take root even in the south. Translated from Latin bryozoan means "food". This explains the fact that earlier some plants of this genus were used as feed for livestock breeding.
Description and characteristics of bryozoans
The bryozoan plant is an annual or perennial flowering creeping plant. The height of the stems can reach up to 20 cm. The stems are straight and recumbent, forming sods. The leaf blades are narrow, no more than 1.5 mm in size, grow together in the lower tier. The diameter of the snow-white flowers does not exceed 1 cm. The flowers are arranged singly and gather in small-flowered inflorescences that bloom on elongated pedicels. Over time, fruit pods appear from the inflorescences, filled with seed material in the form of buds.
Growing bryozoans from seeds
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Seedlings of bryozoans are obtained by seed growing, and then transferred to open ground. The seeds are purchased from any gardening store or ordered from an online store. Sowing is carried out in March-April. Seeds are placed on the surface of a substrate moistened with water, which is mixed, taking leaf and sod soil in the same ratio. Crops are covered with polyethylene and stored in a lighted place. When the containers with crops are kept indoors at room temperature, seedlings are expected in 7 days. After the seedlings are strong enough, the film is removed.
Gradually, young green shoots turn into a plexus of bristles. This indicates the readiness of the seedlings to take a place in another, more comfortable and spacious pot.
Planting bryozoans in open ground
It is better to plant bryozoans in open ground when spring warmth comes and the threat of frost return subsides. The best month for such events is the end of May. The soil should warm up better by this time. A sunny spot in the garden is chosen for planting, but Irish moss is able to thrive well in areas located in the shade of neighboring trees. Only in this case, group plantings will look rare or have less lush needles. Bryozoan grows mainly on loams or sands.
If the soil on the site is heavy, it is diluted with sand and loosened, simultaneously removing weeds and leveling the surface. When the bed is completely ready, you can start planting seedlings. The distance between individual specimens should be from 5 to 10 cm, depending on the size of the seedling bush. The stage of planting activities is completed with abundant watering.
In regions where a warm southern climate prevails, it is allowed to plant seeds directly in the ground.The seeds are sent to the soil in late autumn. They are evenly scattered on the surface of the substrate so that future plantings do not look too thick. In the spring, melt water will saturate the soil and drag the seeds to a depth. The soil layer that forms on top of the seeds will be enough for them to germinate. Green shoots begin to form in April.
Caring for bryozoans in the garden
The lawn, which is based on Irish moss, requires some care and maintenance. Caring for a bryozoan is very simple. Plantings are regularly watered and fed. In areas with frosty and cold winters, the bushes are covered with spruce branches. If the wintering is expected to be snowy, the bryozoan will calmly survive even without additional shelter.
Watering and feeding
Bryozoan is demanding on the condition of the soil and needs constant watering. Immediately after planting, the seedlings are watered every day. When the seedlings begin to take root, the amount of water is reduced. During dry periods, the plant only needs to be watered a few times a week. Irish moss lawn is best moistened by sprinkling.
Important! Watering sessions are performed in the evening, so as not to harm the leaves and not burn the succulent vegetation.
The growth and development of bryozoans is ensured thanks to competent feeding. In the first year, the bushes are fed with mineral fertilizers based on ammonium. The procedure is repeated first in spring, then in summer. Superphosphate fertilizers are applied three times a year. For each square meter of the area where the moss is spread, add 16 g of the substance. Plantings grow and harden faster if the soil is enriched with potash fertilizers in the amount of 10 g per 1 m2.
Bryozoan diseases and pests
Excess moisture in the soil leads to the occurrence of fungal diseases, which can only be cured with the help of fungicides. It is important to observe the watering regime in order to prevent cases of infection of the vegetative parts with a similar infection.
Shoots often freeze out due to unexpected frosts or cold snaps. Top dressing with superphosphate fertilizers greatly strengthens the root system and increases the plant's resistance to cold. Thanks to timely feeding, the bryozoan will need to spend less effort to adapt and take root in open ground conditions.
Growing Irish moss in wet, dense loams that are high in nitrogen can cause unplanned stem and leaf growth. This variant of development is especially dangerous in winter, when under the snow cover the shoots of bryozoans begin to quickly weed out. Acidic soils with a high phosphorus content put the plant at risk of chlorosis. Symptoms of the disease are a change from the green color of the leaves to light yellow. Spraying the bushes with an iron solution helps to stop the spread of the disease.
Among insects, green aphids may pose a threat. To destroy it, insecticidal preparations are used.
Types and varieties of bryozoans with photos
Bryozoan (Sagina saginoides)
This is the name of the mossy bryozoan, which is a ground cover with a poorly developed root system, which forms a thick green carpet. The shoots are pressed to the ground and covered with narrow, needle-like leaves painted in a pale green hue. The flowering period is in June, then small white flowers appear on the stems.
Bryozoan (Sagina procumbens)
In other sources, bryozoan biting is one of the most popular perennial species. The height of the shoots ranges from 2-10 cm. The stems branch and rise slightly above the ground. The leaves are sharp and narrow, like needles grow together near the base and gather in rosettes. Shoots originate from the leaf axils. Tiny bisexual flowers are located on long stalks.
Subulate bryozoan (Sagina subulata)
The plant retains its green color throughout the year. The appearance of this species of bryozoan resembles dense thickets of low-growing moss.Shoots are creeping and branched, leaf blades are arranged in opposite order. The diameter of the flowers is no more than 5 mm. As a cultural gardener and lawn grass, gardeners began to grow bryozoans subulate as early as 1881.
Bryozoan in landscape design
Various types of bryozoans are equally successfully used in the arrangement of landscape design. With their help, they create a lawn area and decorate rockeries, alpine slides, make volumetric sculptures. The plant perfectly coexists with representatives of the bulbous family, for example, irises, daffodils, tulips or crocuses... Irish moss is planted along the curb, between stone slabs, or fill empty slopes with it.
