Java moss ball

[eco]

Sorry for another dumb question but here goes, the golf ball mosses on sns are trimmed from an existing plant then rolled onto balls? My java moss is growing up to 4". Just trim, roll, pack and send?

[Bananariot]

you could put it in a moist paper towel then in a ziploc baggie to retain humidity.

[cawolf86]

Golf ball is just a reference to the amount or size of the moss portion being sold. It does not need to be packed into a ball to ship or sell.

[zdnet]

Originally Posted by eco

Sorry for another dumb question but here goes, the golf ball mosses on sns are trimmed from an existing plant then rolled onto balls?

If by "golf ball mosses" you meant marimo ball, then the answer is NO!

[CatB]

Originally Posted by zdnet

If by "golf ball mosses" you meant marimo ball, then the answer is NO!

i'm pretty sure they meant a "golf ball sized portion of (whatever moss)" which is a common phrase used to establish the size of mosses being sold. like others have said, it's just a measurement.

[Kunsthure]

Don't wrap them up. h4n, Mr. Moss Master, let's them drip over the tank for a few seconds and tosses them in a ziplock. I pat mine a tad dry if they seem to be too wet, then into the baggie. Use lots of newspaper for packing material in a small box, usually USPS small flat rate box. DO NOT ship in an envelope.

-Lisa

[Soothing Shrimp]

Originally Posted by Kunsthure

Don't wrap them up. h4n, Mr. Moss Master, let's them drip over the tank for a few seconds and tosses them in a ziplock. I pat mine a tad dry if they seem to be too wet, then into the baggie. Use lots of newspaper for packing material in a small box, usually USPS small flat rate box. DO NOT ship in an envelope.

-Lisa

Why not ship moss in an envelope? Why not moist towel?

[Kunsthure]

Moist towel can turn the moss to mush, especially in the heat, just like any plant.

Envelopes are flattened, bent, have boxes dropped on them and all other sorts of things. The one and only time I bought moss that was shipped in an envelope was a disaster. It took days to get there (sent First Class), the envelope had been torn a bit and a good portion of the moss was brown because it had no protection from the heat. Shipping it Priority in an envelope is a waste of money because it's going to cost about the same as a flat rate box.

Shipping it in a box means you can give it plenty of space not to be mashed. Using newspaper as packing material gives it some insulation from the heat.

If it's good enough for h4n, it's good enough for me.

-Lisa

[eco]

Good info all and thx. My main question was if the moss was trimmed from an existing plant. I have to trim back my java moss that's growing up to 4" high. After I cut them back do I simply take the trimmings, roll it up in a ball (or put them in a bag) and that's what is sent out to buyers?

[Kunsthure]

Originally Posted by eco

Good info all and thx. My main question was if the moss was trimmed from an existing plant. I have to trim back my java moss that's growing up to 4" high. After I cut them back do I simply take the trimmings, roll it up in a ball (or put them in a bag) and that's what is sent out to buyers?

You will want to roll it into a ball to see if you truly have a golf ball portion. Not a tightly packed wad, just sorta bunched together. I've found that a 1/4 measuring cup to be about a GBP if you're not trying to skimp. It doesn't have to be shipped balled up. I prefer my mosses to not be in a ball because then I have to go untangling everything. But a lot of people do leave it in the ball.

-Lisa

[GeToChKn]

Originally Posted by eco

Good info all and thx. My main question was if the moss was trimmed from an existing plant. I have to trim back my java moss that's growing up to 4" high. After I cut them back do I simply take the trimmings, roll it up in a ball (or put them in a bag) and that's what is sent out to buyers?

Yup, that's all I do, or just put my hand in the tank, rip off a chunk and sell that.

[Soothing Shrimp]

Originally Posted by Kunsthure

Moist towel can turn the moss to mush, especially in the heat, just like any plant.

Envelopes are flattened, bent, have boxes dropped on them and all other sorts of things. The one and only time I bought moss that was shipped in an envelope was a disaster. It took days to get there (sent First Class), the envelope had been torn a bit and a good portion of the moss was brown because it had no protection from the heat. Shipping it Priority in an envelope is a waste of money because it's going to cost about the same as a flat rate box.

Shipping it in a box means you can give it plenty of space not to be mashed. Using newspaper as packing material gives it some insulation from the heat.

If it's good enough for h4n, it's good enough for me.

-Lisa

Good info to know. Thanks, Lisa.

[Bananariot]

I usually leave it up to the buyer, if they want to save money on the shipping and use bubble mail, then they better be wary of the risks....though its moss so I think its ok. I buy mine via bubble mailer and I send mine based on whatever the customer wants.

Hmm didn't know the paper towel was a nono but the again I always sell mosses during the winter and never the summer xD

[h4n]

yup Lisa is correct, I personally dont use a moist paper towel on a ball of moss. Because i've seen it plently of time mush it quicker then it suppose to.

Like she said, I roll it around to get a golfball size. Dip it back into the tank and take it out then let it drip out the left over water out so it not dripping anymore then drop it into a ziplock.

Then I blow it up so the bag has air in it and then drop it into a small flat rate and add packing material so it not slidding all in there.

Sometime I do ship first class if that what the buyer wants or they live close. But it still in a box. I hate getting moss shipped in a envelope!
works like a charm for me from winter and summer so far.