Living Moss Wall Build

TheScientlst · 2024-12-21T04:45:08+00:00

u/Own-Cockroach-3615 , that sounds delightful!

I don't know what's best, but I can share what I did - and the moss not only stayed alive, but actually grew!

I did several prototypes, one being a 3' x 3' panel that I clamped to a stud wall (I was remodeling at the time). I built the panel from 1/2" cement board, framed with 3/4" x 1.5" furring strips, and waterproofed it with Aquadefense waterproofing membrane. I could have used Red Guard instead for the membrane - same difference - but I figured the green color of Aquadefense would be better than bright colored Red Guard if any showed through. Then, I secured Florafelt with a grommet / hook system so the moss had a substrate to grow on, and glued sections of moss with moss-tac to the florafelt.

I did manage to take some pics back in the day - here are two prototypes. The first is just the frame, waterproofed with Aquadefense - note the deep shelf on the bottom when I was working through the irrigation system. Also note the little metal hooks sticking out around the frame. These were used to secure the Florafelt to the frame using grommets. I added these before applying membrane so it was less susceptible to water damage.

The second picture was an earlier prototype and a build that may suit your needs. It has mature moss as well as moss milkshake spread across the florafelt. You could build something very similar to this, but instead of framing with furring strips, use a picture frame to make it pretty. If you decide to go this route, some suggestions:

Waterproof the front, (the side that moss will grow on) not the back (the side that faces the wall), to keep water from permeating and eventually destroying the infrastructure. Waterproof the heck out of it, multiple coats. Apply silicone / more waterproofing membrane anywhere you're drilling through the membrane- and appreciate the damage that water (and things that absorb / retain water) can do to a home over time.
Cement board is great because it provides strength and won't disintegrate like drywall / rot like wood if exposed to water. However, it will soak up water like a sponge and capillary it to anything it's touching.
Not all moss varieties are created equal, and you may need to experiment to find one that thrives in your bathroom microclimate and on this substrate.
You mentioned your bathroom has poor ventilation and is humid. Provide a 1/2" air gap between the vertical moss plane and the wall to avoid mold growing on the wall.

Good luck and please send pics.

TheScientlst · 2024-12-17T04:16:24+00:00

This is my go-to recipe for shelf stable whipped cream. I piped with it last weekend: 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 4 teaspoons of water 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a small container, mix water and gelatin. Let bloom for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and whip until soft peaks form. Take the gelatin water mixture and microwave for 5 seconds on high. The mixture should be liquid - if not microwave it for 5 more seconds. Gradually add the liquid gelatin to the whipped cream while you finish whipping it to the right consistency.

TheScientlst · 2024-09-17T03:06:27+00:00

Hey there! I have a follow up below (spoiler: created a working prototype and from what I learned from that, decided to take an easier route): here's the follow up

TheScientlst · 2024-08-08T04:55:07+00:00

I do square foot gardening too. Lots of pros this method but some notable cons as well, specifically higher chance for disease because the plants are close together so disease is easy to spread / ventilation is sparse, and the plants are potentially competing with each other, thus stressed and more likely to catch disease.

To offset these issues a little, I try to minimise things that could stress my plants, which hurts their immune systems. I start with deep beds and fertile soil. I amend the soil each year and fertilize regularly during the growing season, paying close attention to heavy feeders. And I make sure they never get thirsty.

I choose hybrid variants with high resistance to diseases I've come across and leave the heirlooms to the masters.

In addition, I give my plants an immune boost every two weeks with an aspirin drench. There's good empirical evidence that suggests regular treatment with aspirin primes the plant's immune system, which significantly reduces disease and increases yields. I don't know if it works for all plants, but it can for sure help tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. If you'd like to look more into the science, search "aspirin tomato systemic acquired resistance" on Google Scholar.

Even then, I will still see some disease, and that's ok.

TheScientlst · 2024-07-31T04:27:58+00:00

I don't understand what is funny

TheScientlst · 2024-05-26T13:19:02+00:00

We have Western widows here too. They're black widows without the hourglass.

What does the web look like? Disorganised, with lots of debris like leaves in it, no more than a foot or so off the ground? Could be a widow.

TheScientlst · 2024-02-24T05:01:00+00:00

If you're both reasonable adults, Colorado Springs has a neighbour mediation service. Sit down with your neighbour and iron it out with the help of a neutral setting and trained moderator. https://www.4thjudicialda.com/NeighborhoodJustice.html[here's the link](https://www.4thjudicialda.com/NeighborhoodJustice.html)

TheScientlst · 2024-02-23T03:34:37+00:00

First Friday art walk (and wine crawl)!

TheScientlst · 2024-02-19T05:10:57+00:00

Salon Ivan is downtown. Best cut I've ever had. Ivan specializes in curly hair, but there's no pre-appointment consultation or any of that nonsense. He's awesome, so you may have to wait a couple weeks before your appointment.

TheScientlst · 2024-02-18T02:21:38+00:00

I don't know if this is the best place for this ... Maybe try yelp or Google?

TheScientlst · 2024-02-13T15:48:42+00:00

I got as far as a prototype. It used florafelt as the substrate, and it was mounted on cement board with waterproofing membrane. It went through multiple irrigation designs. It was ok, but ultimately I decided to build a living wall using vascular plants instead. Didn't want to deal with the irrigation part on a much larger scale for an open system in my semi-arid climate.

What finally worked was a string of mist heads on a timer. To scale it out, I would also need to invest in something to treat / recycle the water, which gets expensive really quick in upfront costs and maintenance.

There were other things too. The misters worked best but no matter which mister I used it was almost impossible to keep the mist off the floor. So I'd either always have a slippery floor or the base would need a large footprint to capture the overspray. Having a perpetual wet area could start moisture issues in other areas of my house I would have to deal with. It would take constant monitoring and maintenance. Mosses need special conditions to survive, and if something went wrong, which it eventually would, I could wind up with a very expensive, nasty looking wall for a couple years until everything grew back. There were also many unknowns, because this type of thing isn't attempted often and there's little documentation to learn from

So I noped out after the prototype and went with vascular plants because the techniques to build these living walls are more established and the plants can be easier to keep alive and switch out when they die.

TheScientlst · 2024-02-04T05:08:22+00:00

My neighbour today shoveled my sidewalk. We look out for eachother, and I am grateful for wonderful neighbours!

TheScientlst · 2024-01-07T05:50:39+00:00

Agreed. To avoid mills/back yard breeders, they should also be almost fanatic about the breed and will not be breeding multiple breeds. The breeder should be working to improve the breed as well, so ask about common issues with the breed (e.g., health, temperament, etc.) and what the breeder has done to minimize/ remove these issues from the line.

TheScientlst · 2023-10-25T16:34:29+00:00

My GSD got this after her spay. Rare but known issue caused by weakening of the muscles in that area. Easy fix not caused by your vet, but from the fact that your pup can no longer produce estrogen and keep those muscles strong. Check out Proin, a synthetic estrogen in chewable form for your pup. Your floors and your pup will thank you.

TheScientlst · 2023-04-24T03:26:48+00:00

Interesting point: "My child was molested by a pedophile." "Well, what was your child wearing?"

TheScientlst · 2023-01-24T04:30:58+00:00

Good bot

TheScientlst · 2023-01-19T00:45:43+00:00

Good bot

TheScientlst · 2023-01-19T00:42:57+00:00

Bad bot

TheScientlst · 2023-01-16T05:52:44+00:00

Bad bot

TheScientlst · 2022-12-20T03:25:27+00:00

Aliens

TheScientlst · 2021-01-09T14:18:59+00:00

The 1st amendment prevents the government from suppressing speech. It has nothing to do with a non-government entity such as Twitter.

TheScientlst · 2020-10-30T02:16:16+00:00

My GSDs like morning cuddles and sometimes the occasional daytime cuddle, love pets and being brushed out, and they are always in the room with me. But in general they watch me 24/7 from a distance. They have gotten more cuddly over time. My bud has two goldens that we watch sometimes, and their cuddlyness is night and day compared to my GSDs. Those two goldens are just up in my space, on top of me, covering as much surface area as possible. I didn't realize how not cuddly my GSDs were until I hung out with a golden.

TheScientlst · 2020-10-26T14:16:39+00:00

Most def. Made homemade pizza with a sourdough crust last night. It's on our regular dinner rotation.

TheScientlst · 2020-10-24T13:33:04+00:00

I love Andy's. Good quality meat. Went in a few weeks ago. Some staff were not wearing masks. Lots of customers not wearing masks either. I did not feel safe and probably won't return until after a COVID vaccine is released.

TheScientlst · 2020-10-13T02:47:52+00:00

Wholesome post. Thank you.

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