Can we talk about….. Moss Poles? The kind filled with sphagnum moss that need to be kept watered. I don’t have any set up. My fav plant YouTubers recommend them for climbers, especially philodendrons. Helps them grow Big & Strong. I think they’re kinda ugly tho 🫢 Do you use moss poles? What are yours made of? Are they worth the extra time, money, & effort?
they are worth it and you don’t see them eventually when the plant takes over. i like to use the kind with the plastic backing otherwise you’ll never keep them moist — it will be a never ending battle
0 likes Thank you! I creeped on your plants… I like the pole on the Philodendron Narrow. Looks sturdy. May I ask where you got it?
0 likes it’s definitely sturdy but Ive found that roots have a hard time getting in there. in part perhaps because my moss is packed too tightly, and in part because the gaps are deep, hard to explain — it’s also open all the way around and it dries out fast so it’s more or less been functioning much the same as a coco coir pole. they were cheap on amazon though, come in a pack of 4 and are stackable
0 likes see how these roots are just avoiding it? it’s weird. i think only one root actually went in there
Ok thank you for the additional information, I appreciate it!
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i don’t think moss poles are worth the effort. but, i’m also not super into epiphytic aroids like some people are. my epiphytic plants are either trailing or on a copper or wooden/bamboo trellis. i have one remaining moss pole with a monstera on it and honestly the roots growing into the moss are such a pain to deal with that i will never grow a plant on a moss pole again. it’s just too much maintenance. in future, my monstera will be climbing up a piece of wood, like they do in nature. this way i won’t have to fuss about keeping it moist or dealing with the root system in the pole when it’s full. the roots don’t necessarily need to grow *into* the support for robust growth, they need support and room for the root system. the moss-filled poles are more like a combination of support and a pot extension. also, the harvesting of sphagnum peat moss is detrimental to the environment as peat bogs are vital carbon sinks, and destroying them releases more carbon into the atmosphere. so, i try to avoid buying moss unless i can confirm it has limited environmental impact, like some types of aotearoa (new zealand) sphagnum. unfortunately this stuff is pricey, but i’m not willing to buy moss from less expensive, questionable sources. all in all, the detriments significantly outweigh the benefits for me and my plants. it’s easier for me to grow plants on a dry support, keep the root system contained in the pot, and repot as necessary. it’s less expensive as well as less effort, and when caring for plants with a disability, efficiency is important.
2 likes I just bought a piece of cork bark to use as a growth support. So I think that would classify as what you’re referring to a “dry support.” Do these work well in your experience? Every time I think I’m done tweaking, I find out about another technique to make my plants healthier, (like support systems) and have a whole new subject to learn about. 😄
1 like i haven’t any cork bark pieces but i’ve heard great things. i suspect the bark would work even better than the trellises i have currently, since it’s so similar to what these plants would grow up in nature. i’ve been looking into buying a long piece from a reptile shop for my monstera adansonii to climb, and some smaller pieces to mount hoya or orchids. the texture of the bark seems like the perfect surface for roots to climb over and possibly into. i will probably pack some damp moss around the mounted plants but with the local humidity being so high (sometimes over 90% outside in the summer) i’ve never had a problem with my epiphytes growing aerial roots. typically, once the plant feels something underneath, it will try to grow into it. pothos in particular are very good at this; they try to climb my shelves routinely lol i understand the feeling, the world of household horticulture feels sometimes like a black hole of knowledge, in a positive sense. i think that’s part of why this hobby is so good for me, i love to learn, and there is always more out there to explore 🌱
1 like Now I’m more motivated to actually set up a plant with the cork bark! ☺️ I found it online, but recently discovered my local pet shop also sells it.
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As an aroid lover, they're definitely worth it. They can be high maintenance if you live in a dry climate like me, so I bought some self watering moss poles on Amazon to make them easier to maintain (I'm Canadian, but I'm sure Amazon.com has them too if you're in the US)
2 likes Thank you! If you have time could you share which product you chose?
1 like They also come with little platlstic stakes that insert at the bottom for added stability
The brand is JEGU. Again, I'm in Canada. If ur in the US, there's probably someone selling the exact same product under a different name lol
0 likes Got it, thank you!
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I'm in full agreement with Plant Father and my favorite plant is actually an epiphyte. I can't in good conscience give money to companies that are destroying the environment so much. My house also runs on occasional depression neglect and a moss pole is too high maintenance for that lol My pothos are on dry supports- coco coir poles and metal trellises- and it hasn't seemed to hinder their growth
2 likes My favorite plant and the trellis that she's happily and rapidly outgrowing 😅
Thank you for sharing your progress! Yes I’ve heard that sphagnum moss harvesting isn’t sustainable (except for a particular kind from New Zealand?).
0 likesI have a xl miss pole in my Monstera, but to be honest, the smell of the moss is soooo strong. It needs to be kept moist, but I think I’m going to change out for a non-moss support pole, because after a month, the scent is not diminishing.
1 like*moss
0 likes Good to know, thank you!
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I just started on the moss pole adventure. Bought clear plastic D shape poles from Amazon, filled with 1/3 potting soil 2/3 moss. Stuffed the holes with just moss to cover some of the plastic. I’ve only had it up 2-3 weeks, but one of the vines is growing a root 😁 I had originally thought it would be great to have already rooted vines to cut & repot. But, tbh, I’m re-thinking moss poles due to the higher maintenance and might go the trellis route. Either make my own out of some branches that have been recently cut down, or buy the wood ones on Mossify. I ❤️❤️❤️ the ones from Treleaf, but being from Canada with No free shipping to Canada and with the exchange rate makes them way too expensive for me! Anyway, not sure yet, what I’ll eventually stick with, as I’m just starting. We’ll see how this adventure goes! Best of luck on yours!
