How to get rid of spanish moss. You might have seen long, hairy branches hanging from the branches of a tree, creating just an atmosphere like a magical garden in a fairytale.
This enchanting view is due to the blessing of a “moss.” Yes! A moss, The Spanish moss. Some people see them as an embellishment to their lawns but some of us want our lawns to be immaculate and properly kept, so in order to do that, this Spanish moss has to be wiped off.
Thus, I have brought out several ways for you to clear that weed out of your groomed gardens.
How to get rid of spanish moss
Spanish mosses are “NOT” mosses, and if there is nothing Spanish about them. Go give it a search. They belong to the family of bromeliads, which is also the family of pineapples.
Don’t go start eating them! Just kidding. Okay, really, don’t eat them; they are not edible. They also belong to succulents which means they store water or moisture for hard and dry times and are epiphytes.
It means they grow on the branches of other trees that are old and shed their old dead cell layers.
Problems or issues
Spanish moss as lovers, love them, and haters gonna hate them is a bit problematic for both. As they come up with some demerits, which include:
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Not a parasite, No!
Spanish mosses, as we know, are not a parasite. They are epiphytes that just hang on to the branches of southern trees.
Literally, they don’t harm your garden trees and don’t suck off their nutrition. If you think they do, drop the idea. Being an epiphyte means they can prepare their own food. So, no harm to the trees.
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Strain on trees
These tree-hanging mosses don’t pose any threat to the trees but put a strain on the branches of trees. The old tree branches can somewhat accept their weight, but the new or younger ones are more liable to their heavy weight.
They grow in bunches and in abundance. So, many plants cannot bear their burden.
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House to many moisture-loving animals
Spanish mosses are moisture absorbing; they make the area humid and a bit cool. This is good and bad.
Good for the owners having these mosses and bad for them because many animals and insects like frogs, spiders, and boll weevils are attracted to areas like these.
Obviously, who doesn’t like a cool shady tree and a mild breeze? Even animals love it. Also, birds carry these mosses to form their nest, so they also cause cross-pollination, which helps these Spanish mosses to spread everywhere.
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Tree’s health compromised
We know that Spanish mosses do not vandalize the trees, but it affects the tree’s health in various aspects that are damaging to the trees.
The Spanish mosses cover the leaves of the trees, and they themselves retain all the moisture. All the areas under the Spanish mosses stay devoid of any sunlight.
The plants having Spanish mosses are more vulnerable to rot. Because as a plant keeps getting water and moisture but doesn’t get sufficient sunlight, it gets more prone to molding or decomposition. Thus, affecting the growth rate of your plants.
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Untidy landscape
The view of your lawns and gardens with this Spanish moss is more like an unkempt and untidy place that is not in use. It makes it look old and undesirable.
Ways to get rid of this moss
Having Spanish moss on your lawn is undesirable for most people. Removing these mosses can be troublesome and requires quite a labor.
There are many ways through which you can eradicate the Spanish mosses from your lawns and gardens.
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Pluck some moss
First of before anything, use your hands to remove the young growing Spanish moss. It won’t be easy but using your hands to pluck the moss from the roots is quite convenient.
The proper way to do it is, to cover your hands and find a helping hand to pass you on the tools as you climb the ladder.
Hold the moss from the base and use strength to remove or pluck the moss.
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Pressure water method
The pressure water method to wipe the Spanish mosses from the trees is to use electrically motorized pressure water.
The water pressure will help remove the soft-rooted Spanish moss, and it will fall from the trees. This method is not as efficient as others but will help to remove a considerable amount.
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Proper fertilizers and care
Using proper fertilizers that are made for the proper growth of the trees and, taking care of the trees, keeping them in check frequently will also help you and prevent the growth of any Spanish moss.
Spanish mosses are vulnerable to some chemicals like potassium.
Using potassium-based fertilizers is a smart choice as it proves to be beneficial for the trees, and at the same, it has devastating effects on the Spanish moss.
Kill the Spanish moss with “Not So Kindness”
Using sprays like potassium, copper, or baking soda will also help quite a great deal in eradicating unwanted Spanish moss.
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Potassium sprays
Potassium is a beneficial element for plants and trees, but it is the death of the Spanish moss. We can use potassium bicarbonate sprays by mixing ¼ part of the potassium per gallon of water.
Potassium helps your plants and trees to go by acting as a fertilizer. It will not be a good thing for the Spanish moss, as I told you that Spanish mosses are vulnerable to potassium.
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Copper and lime sprays
Copper sulfate sprays are widely used as the Spanish moss eradicator. They are also the most effective but a bit slow in their action.
Remember, copper is a tough agent and can cause damage to your trees or your plant. So, it should be used in a small quantity.
Usually, these sprays come prepared, but if you want to prepare copper spray, you can add 1 part of copper sulfate in ten parts of water and one part of lime.
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Baking soda
Baking soda acts a bit like the potassium-bicarbonate sprays in action. They are prepared by adding ¼ parts per gallon of water. It has an acidic effect that disturbs the pH of the Spanish Mosses.
After applying the spray, leave it for 24 hours. It will work in a few days. And the Spanish mosses start to fall from the branches.
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Vinegar solution
White Vinegar does not affect your trees, but it has a damaging effect on the Spanish mosses. So, apply some vinegar to your plants or trees and let it set; your trees will get rid of their burden.
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Juice of peach-tree root bear
You can easily get from the supermarket peach-tree root beer, which comes in 12 oz bottles. These are said to also remove the overgrown Spanish moss.
It contains water, the color of caramel, some sugar, natural flavors, and potassium sorbate that act as a preservative.
Spraying this juice on the Spanish mosses will help you get rid of them very quickly.
Conclusion
How to get rid of spanish moss. Spanish mosses give an unpleasant sight for some house owners, and they can be troublesome as they cause a lot of trouble, devoiding your plants of the essential sunlight it needs. Moreover, it makes your lawn look messed up.
So, if you think they are overgrowing, then get up and go and try some of the above-mentioned methods to get rid of this unwanted lawn garbage.
They will surely help you but one thing you need to keep in mind is that maintaining your lawns and gardens is your responsibility, so don’t let these Spanish mosses overgrow and try to “nip the evil in the bud”.
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