What is Marimo?
Marimo is a species of filamentous green algae found in a number of lakes in northen hemisphere. The most well known is a lake in Japan called Akan Lake. Some other colonies can be found in Iceland, Scotland, and Estonia. The rare growth and slow growth of Marimo has made it's species a very valuable piece in the whole world.
So, Does it Grow?
Yes! Marimo is a growing species. It is known that the growth of Marimo is very slow that it takes 10 years to grow into a tiny pinch of Marimo. Some people might have thought if the growth of Marimo is so slow, then what is the point of giving so much care and love? NO, as a Marimo lover, you'll know if you neglected your Marimo, it can actually kill them. The early sign of dying Marimo is when it started to turn brown on the outside.
How?
Wait.... Do not be worry just yet, taking care of Marimo isn't sound as complicated. In fact, Marimo is very 'easy going' once you have understand them very well. We all know Marimo is a kind of living thing which survives in the water. The main element needed for Marimo is water, we all know plant absorb carbon dioxide and light source in order to perform photosynthesis, in the water, it is exactly the same as well. Let me share some little secret with you, by taking good care and lots of love will boost your Marimo growth while maintaining a good health for it!
What Kind of Light Source does my Marimo need?
In the Nature, Marimo lives in deep lake, they receive natural sunlight at a very low level where lighting a considered not too strong for them. That's mean, your Marimo only need a very low output lighting. Any household lighting is suitable enough for them to thrive well.
Note : Remember, Do put them under direct sunlight, It can Kills them!
Taking care of the Temperature
Okay, let us go back to the Nature again. Now we all know Marimo come from nature lake, in the lake, there is such a huge amount volume of water enough to keep the water temperature low without rising too rapidly under direct sunlight. The running water of natural lake also keep the temperature maintain at a safe level. This is the reason why we advice you not to place your Marimo under direct sunlight as it could rise the temperature of the water can eventually send you Marimo to hell.
Okay, I've speak so much fear words, to keep your Marimo healthy, any room temperature is good enough. My opinion here is to avoid having the temperature exceed 30 degree celcius although many webs says 12-35 celcius is safe. When it gets too hot during summer or dry season, you can store your marimo into fridge (not frost!) for a 6-12 hours to keep them cool. The same common sense happen to human when we get too hot, turn on the aircond (of course you don't put yourself in the fridge). All right, cut the crap, let us go to the next little secret =)
When and what should we do during Water Changing?
We suggest you to change the water once very 2-4 weeks to keep your Marimo healthy. So, why water change? Look, we all know plants absorb carbon dioxide and light source to make food for its own. Carbon dioxide exist in water can eventually goes ''empty'' in a tight covered glass jar (most of us keep them in jar). If they are lacked of carbon dioxide, it unlikely for them to be suffocated and die off, but it could affect your Marimo's health and growth.
What kind of water should I provide for my Marimo?
Well, some of you might be shocked to hear we saying tap water is fine. Thinking, doesn't the chlorine in tap water can actually harm them? The answer is No, Marimo is a species of cladophora aegagropila moss ball, there's no worry in using direct pipe or tap water. If you are still worried, just leave the tap water 1 day in a bowl as the chlorine will evaporate after that.
What Should I do during water change?
There's nothing much to do, you'll only have to gently massage your marimo and squeeze of the dirty water within the marimo. Put them back into the 'fresh' water and squeeze it gently again. Repeat the step for 1-2 times. Listen, Squeeze Gently, Dont make it too hard, if the shape turns to be oval after squeezing, Massage Gently and rub them into round shape again.
Now you have understand the basic, if you are looking for more information regarding Marimo, please visit to
http://www.facebook.com/MarimoSarawak , we uploaded several notes there to share with all Marimo lover! Thank you for your passion to read our post and we believe Marimo can brings you happiness, love, and luck!
