Will this moss grow under water?

[~firefly~]

I was given a few large orchids. The top of the pots they're in is stuffed with some sort of moss. It was overflowing on one so I've taken some out and put it in a bowl of water on the window ledge. It seems to still be alive after a couple of weeks but isn't very green.

Would it grow in a fish tank? I'm guessing not but thought it worth asking...even if borderline ridiculous!

[escamosa]

If it's with orchids, it's probably some kind of sphagnum moss or peat moss. You'll find a lot of different kinds in wetlands and boggy areas. Different kinds handle flooding in those areas better than others. I'm not really sure if it would survive being under water all of the time though. It's also very good at lowering the pH of wherever it's growing. It absorbs things like magnesium and calcium, which are two main ingredients which will keep the pH closer to neutral or above. So, I would imagine that it wouldn't be so good in a fish tank, because it could lower your pH too much.

[~firefly~]

I didn't know moss lowers pH. Is that true of all mosses? Perhaps that's why my coral sand tank (which is planted) has a neutral pH (when you'd think it'd be alkaline from the coral)?

[homemadepopcorn]

If its growing outside of the water then it probably isnt an aquatic plant and will probably die under water. You could always do an experiment though.

[~firefly~]

I think I'll continue it on the window sill for now and see what happens.

[homemadepopcorn]

Good call haha! It isn't a bromeliad is it? Google Spanish moss and see.

[~firefly~]

Don't think so. I'll take a pic or two and put some up in a minute.

[homemadepopcorn]

Sure thing!

[~firefly~]

Ok, this is the where it's from:


This is the bunch I stuck in the bowl of water on the window ledge:




What do you think?

[Lady Hobbs]

Sphagnum moss. Escamosa nailed it. It's for potted plants because it holds the water like potters clay. It's growing all over in the trees in tropical areas. Ugly stuff. Falls apart and ends up like shredded wheat. Do not put it in your fish tank or you'll have a mess in your filters and everywhere else.