They are depopulating in Italy and all over the world: the Marimo Moss Ball are the must have Of the moment and last forever! That’s why I’m an excellent green gift for Valentine’s Day.
Marimo is a typical algae of Japan that has a characteristic round shape. Inside it has a spongy consistency, while outside it is covered with soft and velvety moss. With a bright green color and medium -sized size of 6 centimeters, it is an element of furniture that is depopulating, since it is decorative, relaxing, it has minimal maintenance needs and can live for the end of 200 years. In short, a marimo is forever!
What is Marimo?
The word Marimo, coined by the Japanese botanist Takuya Kawakami in 1897, means Ball seaweed. The Marimo grows in the depths of the lakes and is also found in Sweden, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland and Estonia. The scientific name is “Aegagropila Linnaei”. The Marimo of Lake Akan was designated natural monument of Japan in 1921 and this lake contains up to 600 million specimens, which can measure up to 30 cm.
Its round shape is given by the continuous modeling of the current lakes. The Marimo on the market are about 5-6 years old and measure 3-4 centimeters. About 5 millimeters every year are growing very slowly, so they do not occupy large spaces.
Because Marimo gives himself
Marimo is an excellent decoration object if immersed in a nice pot or transparent jar, perhaps decorated with stones, twigs and marine shells. It can also live in an aquarium, ensuring that there are no species of fish that love to eat it.
His presence, as well as aesthetically harmonious, given color and roundness, is very relaxing. In fact, during the day, when the chlorophyll photosynthesis is produced, the Marimo rises to the surface by swaying placidly, covered with tiny bubbles of oxygen. A Zen anti -stress for those who love to surround themselves with good vibrations!
In Japan it traditionally gives themselves to children or in general to family members such as lucky charm and as a symbol of family bond. In fact, the ball is handed down from generation to generation, given its long life. For this it can be an excellent gift for Valentine’s Day, as a symbol of union to be cultivated that lasts forever!
Traditionally it is given to couples for the wedding or for other special occasions, but today it has also become a popular gift between friends or to decorate houses and offices, it represents a unique and fascinating piece that can last many years with the right care.
The Alga Ball is also an excellent gift for children who can take care of the vegetable as if it were a pet, but with minimal effort.
How to take care of a Marimo
Marimo maintenance is very simple. These algae live in fresh water, or slightly brackish. That of the tap is also fine. As for running water, before immersing it, it is better to leave it in an open container for about 24 hours, to evaporate chlorine. Instead, the water filtered or obtained from the osmosis process is perfect. If you notice that on the algae ball you tend to form brown spots, it is perhaps necessary to add a little ocean salt.
The water must be changed every two weeks for 50%, if it lives alone. While, if you are in an aquarium, you need to follow different rules.
The optimal water temperature is fairly cold and should not exceed 24ºC.
They do not need the air to live, so the container can also be closed.
How much light does it need?
Since its natural habitat the bottom of the lake needs, it needs little light. Direct, sun or electric light is its worst enemy. So any corner of the house even dark or not too sunny can be fine. Any light source, provided that it is not too intense and direct allows photosynthesis.
If the Marimo always floats, it may be necessary to squeeze it slightly keeping it under water to free it from air bubbles trapped inside.
If, on the other hand, it is stopped for long periods, it may be necessary to turn it to put all its parts to receive the light.
How to clean the Marimo
If Marimo lives in an aquarium together with other fish that deal with its cleaning, perhaps it will not be necessary to clean it. If, on the other hand, he lives alone he could self -produce dirt. In that case you have to remove it from the water and rinse it under running water, slightly crushing the ball.
How do you understand if a Marimo is dead?
A healthy marimo should maintain a bright and uniform green color; If you notice that it becomes brown, black, gray or very faded green, it could be a signal that is dying. The structure is another important indicator: while a healthy Marimo is compact and maintains its characteristic spherical shape, a dying one will tend to get rid of it, become soft or gelatinous and could separate in pieces without an external cause.
The behavior in floating can be revealing: normally a healthy Marimo tends to sink, even if during photosynthesis it can float slightly. If, on the other hand, you see it floating constantly on the surface without ever going down, it could be a worrying signal. The smell is also important: while a healthy marimo is practically odorless, the presence of an unpleasant or decomposition smell is a clear signal that something is wrong.
Before concluding that your Marimo is dead, you can try some solutions: change the water, brush it gently to remove the dirt, move it to an environment with indirect light and check that the water temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees. Sometimes a marimo that seems dead can recover with the right attention; Only if after these attempts continues to show negative signals, then it is likely that it is actually dead.
Why does Marimo smell?
When a Marimo emanates bad smell, it is usually a sign that it is going through a decomposition process. This can happen when the alga begins to die or is already dead, and its fabrics begin to degrade. The unpleasant smell is caused by bacteria that develop during this decomposition process, just as happens with any other decomposition organic matter.
The causes of this deterioration can be different: inadequate water conditions, too high temperature, excessive exposure to direct sunlight or accumulation of pollutants in the water. Even the lack of a regular spare of water can lead to the proliferation of harmful bacteria that accelerate the decomposition process.
To prevent these problems, it is important to maintain clean water with regular changes, keep the Marimo at an adequate temperature (between 20-25 ° C), avoid direct sunlight and gently remove any debris that accumulate on the surface of the Alga.
If you notice an unpleasant smell, it is advisable to immediately change the water and check the general conditions of the Marimo to identify any signs of deterioration.
Other precautions
In nature, the round form of the Marimo is ensured by the water movement. It could happen that in the absence of this external agent the shape of the algae ball tends to deform or flatten. Then, periodically, it can be modeled with your hands and will return to take its characteristic ball form.
Furthermore, if the ball we buy seems too big or has grown too much over the years, a part can be cut that will become a nano marimo.
Where to buy the Marimo
The ball algae can be purchased in specialized stores, in nurseries or in some chains of multi -brand shops of DIY. Obviously you can also buy online. Often they are already packaged in a nice jar or in transparent pot. The price varies from 8 to 30 euros, depending on the size and packaging of the container.
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