Wabi Kusa Plant Help

[EntoCraig]

I want to take a stab at a Wabi Kusa setup for my desk at work.

I have a shallow dish/bowl that should look great for it.

My issue is that it is VERY dry here in Utah. Standard indoor humidity is almost always lower then 20%.

My question is: What kinds of plants will do well with wet roots and dryer air around the rest of the plant?

[EntoCraig]

So far I am thinking Lysimachia nummularia will fit the bill, as well as some local brachythesium sp. (Moss)

I would like a grass suggestion or something that is a 'medium' stem.

[greenman857]

Are you collecting or buying?
The Dwarf Hairgrass tolerate low humidity if feet are wet. I've found many smaller local grasses (in my area) tolerate surprisingly wet conditions.
I've used Pennyroyal (a small mint), Mazus reptans as well with good success. I've recently bought a tiny Acorus and a mini Horsetail rush that I bet would do fine too.

[EntoCraig]

Originally Posted by greenman857

Are you collecting or buying?
The Dwarf Hairgrass tolerate low humidity if feet are wet. I've found many smaller local grasses (in my area) tolerate surprisingly wet conditions.
I've used Pennyroyal (a small mint), Mazus reptans as well with good success. I've recently bought a tiny Acorus and a mini Horsetail rush that I bet would do fine too.

Thank you, your suggestions are helpful. Im especially interested in the Mazus and Acorus. I'll have to see if our local nurseries carry any of these.

I guess I can try out various cuttings from other plants I have and see what takes hold.

[gordonrichards]

You can run a humidifier in the room and increase your humidity (not a terrible thing to do)

[EntoCraig]

That is not an option since the tank will be on my desk at work

[Dollface]

As long as the dish is kept full of water, low humidity shouldn't be a problem. If you use sphagnum/straw material for the base like official ADA Wabi Kusa, it's extremely good at retaining water as opposed to soil. You can also mist daily in the morning with a diluted liquid fert solution, or plain water.

ADA has a variety of Wabi Kusa that employs an assorted mix of rotalas, which could be well suited. Dwarf hair grass, and HC also do well. Hydrocotyles also feature prominently in some wabi kusa types, though they do better in direct contact with the water, where they extend out across the surface.

Really, Wabi Kusa are particularly suited to the throw it against a wall and see what sticks approach. Just wrap some sphagnum/straw around rocks, tie in cotton thread, plop some random plants on top, wrap, and see what grows. The stuff that'll grow will grow, the stuff that won't, won't.

[EntoCraig]

Originally Posted by Dollface

As long as the dish is kept full of water, low humidity shouldn't be a problem. If you use sphagnum/straw material for the base like official ADA Wabi Kusa, it's extremely good at retaining water as opposed to soil. You can also mist daily in the morning with a diluted liquid fert solution, or plain water.

ADA has a variety of Wabi Kusa that employs an assorted mix of rotalas, which could be well suited. Dwarf hair grass, and HC also do well. Hydrocotyles also feature prominently in some wabi kusa types, though they do better in direct contact with the water, where they extend out across the surface.

Really, Wabi Kusa are particularly suited to the throw it against a wall and see what sticks approach. Just wrap some sphagnum/straw around rocks, tie in cotton thread, plop some random plants on top, wrap, and see what grows. The stuff that'll grow will grow, the stuff that won't, won't.

Awesome. Its seems like the more advice and research I do, the more I'm finding that the plants will be fine.

Thanks for your input.