So that the moss still looks beautiful in the Christmas nativity scene, in the Easter basket or as a stylish moss picture, you should consider a few things when harvesting. Once you get home, the plant from the forest must be properly preserved so that it retains its green color for a long time.
How can you preserve and preserve moss?
To preserve moss, soak it in a mixture of 2 parts glycerin and 1 part denatured alcohol for 10-15 minutes. Then drain and lay out on kitchen paper to dry. After a few days the moss is durable and retains its juicy green color.
Where can I find moss?
Outside nature reserves, you are allowed to collect small quantities of mosses. Be very careful when doing this so as not to damage the delicate ecosystem. There are also often moss deposits in the home garden that you can use for decorative purposes.
The green plants can be found:
- At the foot of trees,
- on rotting trees,
- on the forest floor,
- On stones in wet areas.
How to collect the moss
- So that the moss stays beautiful for a long time, you should collect plants that are as clean as possible.
- Remove it very carefully from the surface with your hand.
- Insects and small creatures can be removed by shaking and then placing the greenery in a basket.
- Collect only a small amount at a time to allow the stock to recover.
Preserving moss at home
By treating with glycerin, the moss remains juicy green and retains its color for years.
For this you need:
- Glycerin
- denatured alcohol.
You can get both products in the pharmacy.
When preserving, proceed as follows:
- Pour two parts glycerin and one part alcohol into a large bowl.
- Place plants in the mixture and let them steep for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Drain and place on kitchen paper.
- After a few days the moss will have dried thoroughly and can be used again.
You can now use the hot glue gun (€9.00 on Amazon) to glue the green into a deep frame or a tray with an attractive edge and use simple means to create a visual eye-catcher for your home.
Making moss durable by drying it
You can also preserve mosses by drying them. However, this causes the plants to lose their juicy color.
- Spread the cleaned plants on a kitchen towel.
- The moss dries within a few days in an airy, dark place.
Tip
Living moss that is allowed to continue growing in a glass looks particularly beautiful. Put a little soil in a large screw-top jar, moisten it and place some of the collected fresh moss in it. Decorated with stones and twigs, it creates a pretty, green room decoration that is also non-toxic to pets.
