Moss-spread bricks open new vistas

A Solan-based amateur horticulturist has perfected a technique of growing plants on moss-spread bricks that could open new vistas for gardening enthusiasts as well as interior decorators.

For Durlabh Singh Puri of Solan in Himachal Pradesh, it is not impossible to grow plants on bricks.

"I have successfully cultivated begonia rex on bricks both with and without mosses," said Puri, whose success had been recognised by the Royal Horticulture Society (RHC) of the UK.

Selection and preparation of bricks is an important element in growing begonias on them, he said, adding that to make bricks ready for growing begonias they first need to be cultured by mosses.

Mosses are capable of growing on almost any surface. The best proposition is to identify the moss species found on most difficult surfaces, he said, while adding, the second requirement was the species that has the fastest growth horizontally.

These two factors will help in establishing the moss in lesser time for covering the brick surface, he added.

"After identification of moss species, we can make holes of about 6 mm in diametre and 12 mm depth in bricks," Puri said, adding the moss plant can then be fixed with brick paste and the bricks can be left under damp conditions for the growth of mosses.

Puri had experimented with several groups of begonias for the growth in bricks but the bright coloured rex variety responded the best.

"The best method to transfer begonia rexs in the moss-cultured brick is through rhizome transfer and can be done by cutting new growths of rhizomes and positioned in the gaps of bricks," he said.

"As there is no soil on the brick and the begonia rex plant has to depend for its nutrition on the brick surface, the brick should be given a drench of standard liquid manures during the growing period fortnightly," Puri added.

According to him, after about four months the plant should be well established on its brick.

Characterised by bright, multi coloured flowers and leaves, begonias are plants found mainly in the north-eastern region of the country. At present, around 2,500 different species of begonias are grown in homes, green houses and outdoor gardens.

Since begonias cannot stand direct sunlight and wilt under waterlogged conditions, it is difficult to grow them domestically. Puri has, however, overcome these problems by simply copying their natural habitat conditions. Interestingly, Puri is only a part time floriculturist. He runs a photography shop in Solan for a living.