The Aegagropila linnaei, otherwise known as the Marimo moss ball, is a species of filamentous green algae that is known for its unique shape and velvety smooth complexion. Marimo moss balls grow by absorbing nitrates, phosphates, and other organic waste from the water. As they grow, they purify the water they live in and provide oxygen for animals that live with them. Horticulture Chair Nancy Percivall shares the history and fun facts on this interesting species.

HISTORY & FUN FACTS:

• Marimo were first discovered in Lake Zell, Austria in 1823 by Dr. Anton Sauter, an Austrian botanist. The name Marimo was later bestowed by Japanese botanist Tatsuhiko Kawakami in 1898. Mari is a bouncy play ball and mo is a generic term for plants that grow in water.
• Marimo moss balls aren't moss – the balls are formed by strings of algae rolling around the shallow edges of lakes rounding out into spheres.
• The balls are green all the way around ensuring that they can photosynthesize no matter which way they roll. In their natural habitat they rise and fall when the algae photosynthesizes, rapidly causing oxygen to carry them to the surface. When the light lessens, the balls sink back to the bottom.
• The inside of the balls are dormant chloroplasts which become active after being broken apart. Often the balls divide on their own and form into new moss balls. It is possible to create your own colony – to propagate your own moss balls you simply divide an existing ball in two and then form the resulting parts into balls by rolling them around in your hands.
• Marimo moss balls can grow in a wide range of temperatures but seem to do best in colder water environments and exposed to light. Moss balls grow very gradually, typically at a rate of about 5 millimeters a year in their natural habitat – in an aquarium, with added fertilizer, they can grow much faster.
• They require little maintenance – the water should be changed once a week. To clean the moss balls, simply remove them from the water and gently squeeze, as you would a sponge.
• Marimo moss balls are considered a national treasure in Japan.
• The oldest recorded Marimo moss ball is over 200 years old.

Horticulture Chair Nancy Percivall gave an informative talk on Soap Nuts and How to Use Them.

Soap nuts (sometimes called soap berries) are the fruit of the Sapindus mukorossi tree found naturally growing at the foothills of the the Himalayan Mountains. The soap nut is actually a berry that forms a hard shell when dry and resembles a nut. The berry shells contain saponin, a natural surfactant that is released when the shell absorbs water giving it the ability to produce soapsuds.

Soap nuts are considered a natural detergent and have become a popular environ-mentally friendly alternative to chemical detergent. Place about five soap nuts into a small muslin bag, typically provided with your purchase, pull the drawstring tight, and throw it in the wash with your clothes. Each bag of soap nuts should last for about five washes.

To make liquid soap, use one cup of water for each soap nut used. Boil water, add soap nuts, simmer for 20 minutes, cool and store in a jar. Use ¼ cup liquid for one load of laundry. You can also pour the liquid into ice cube trays and freeze for later use.

Lucky Bamboo, Dracaena sanderiana, is not a true bamboo but a type of tropical water lily from Africa. It is grown as a houseplant and is said to bring good luck and good fortune to the household.

Horticulture Chair Nancy Percivall shared tips for purchasing and caring for Lucky Bamboo. When purchasing your plant, look for one that is vibrant green throughout. If the stalk and leaves are yellow or brown and has an odor, it may be unhealthy. Lucky Bamboo plants can be grown in soil or hydroponically – in water with small rocks or pebbles to hold the stalks in place. 

​When caring for your Lucky Bamboo, you should provide enough water but not too much. For hydroponic plants, make sure your plant has enough water to cover the base of the roots. The water should be changed once a week to prevent the plant from rotting. Rinse the vase, pebbles, and plant each time. If the plant is grown in soil, water the plant just enough so that the soil is moist, not soaked. When watering, use bottled water, rain water or distilled water. If using tap water, let it sit out for 24 hours to remove any chemicals before watering. For quicker growth, add a very light fertilizer periodically. Too much fertilization is worse than none at all. In nature, the plant is usually shaded from direct sunlight. You should place your plant in an area that is open and bright and not exposed to direct sunlight all day. Lucky Bamboo grows best in temperatures between 65° F and 90° F. 

If the tips of the leaves turn yellow, it could be because your plant is not getting enough water, there's too much soil or fertilizer, or too much direct sunlight. You can trim off the yellow parts or remove the whole leaf. To remove the yellow tips off your leaves, sterilize a pair of scissors or pruning shears with rubbing alcohol or vinegar then cut the yellow part off following the natural shape of the leaf. To remove whole leaves, pull them down off the stalk at the base of the leaf.

Aloe vera, ​Aloe barbadenis, is a member of a group of plants known as Aloes. They comprise a genus of over 500 species of evergreen, mostly succulent, plants and are cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. It is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant.

Nancy Percivall, Committee Chair for Horticulture, shared tips on how to grow Aloe vera and its many uses.