Moss Squeeze: Methods

The Soak, Squeeze, Filter Method

The approach I use at the moment is very simple and I am sure there are more sophisticated methods.

Samples
I am just picking up moss that falls from the roof of my house. I'm reticent to disturb moss that is established on walls, roofs and pavements as they take while  to establish.

So I am just using the stuff I find fallen on the ground around my house. In addition if i find moss in the street or on walks around the park, I often snuffle a sample into my pocket. I carry 'poo-bags' for my dogs, which are handy sample bags for a short while.

Soak
I usually soak the samples in mineral water (not tap water) in a small beaker over night.
If the moss is already saturated, I will just skip to the soak step.

Squeeze
I usually squeeze the moss from the base ('root' end - though I know they don't have roots!) up to the tips. Kind of squeezing up and out, catching the moss 'juice' into a small beaker.

Filter
I then use a folded filter paper and filter funnel to drain out excess water, so I a left with a concentrated sample of moss juice in the bottom of the filter paper. Then I take a plastic pipette, to suck up the remaining juice and put a drop on between 3 to 5 microscope slides. I usually use the slides with a small concave well in them. I place a glass cover-slip over each droplet.

At the moment this works well for me to get a very rich sample.

I usually dispose of left over moss juice and samples back outside onto soil.

As and when I find alternative and more elaborate methods, I will add them to the blog.