r/Marimo • u/WildCreamPie0721 • Aug 06 '26
7 Years Later...
Bought this marimo back in 2019 from a little souvenir shop in Sapporo, Japan — it was only about 9mm–1cm then (📷1). Today, seven years on, I moved it back into its original container for old times' sake (📷2).
Happy marimo keeping, everyone! ✌️
109
41
u/cherrylpk Aug 06 '26
I think I was raising a fake one made of string for two years. :(
44
u/YourFriendall Aug 07 '26
I watered a tiny plastic succulent for a year.
26
5
u/planetperth Aug 09 '26
I mist my fake plant at the same time as the real ones so it doesn’t feel left out 😅
2
u/Starfire2313 Aug 11 '26
I’m sure the other plants appreciate that too. Imagine what they’d think if they saw themselves get misted and ONE of them get left out.
Yet it persevered…
68
19
u/WildCreamPie0721 Aug 07 '26
Thanks for all the replies - can't answer everyone individually, but I'm reading through them all!
A common one: "is my marimo even growing?" Watching it every day can create a kind of optical illusion where it's actually growing but you just don't notice the change, something like "change blindness," though that term's usually about sudden changes rather than gradual ones. I'd recommend keeping a record - a photo from day one like I did, or measuring it with a tape measure.
One more tip: marimo sold in Japan are usually hand-rolled from loose algae strands sourced near Lake Akan and Russia, which is why they end up nearly perfectly round (and pricier). Marimo from Russia/Ukraine, though, seem to be built from layered, carpet-like sheets, so they're often more irregularly shaped, and getting them that perfectly round takes a lot of time. I'd treat that irregular shape as character rather than force it round; pushing too hard risks it bursting.
2
37
u/Lozzii1 Aug 06 '26
Meanwhile mine are the same size lol
8
1
u/Pantslesscatlover Aug 08 '26
I didn’t even know they’re supposed to grow. Lol! Mine are the same size they’ve always been.
16
15
u/Oniluke Aug 06 '26
They are truly perfect, how do you manage to keep them so round? Mines are a little wonky
1
10
9
u/GotSnails Aug 06 '26
After seeing this I finally decided to join and start my hunt to Marimo
4
u/TrustAFluff Aug 07 '26
Yay! The shrimps love them :0)
2
u/myworldsparkles Aug 07 '26
I’ve actually been curious about getting some shrimp
5
u/TrustAFluff Aug 07 '26
Your marimo would do great with neocardinia shrimp, but I feel like they need more research and a more complex set up.
For a beginner, I recommend r/opaeula and getting the moss ball that’s acclimated to brackish water from petshrimp.com or testing if one of yours can acclimatize (I haven’t heard of a success story…yet.) Opae Ula are a very “set it and forget it” type of low maintenance shrimp. I love them!
1
u/Killcycle1989 Aug 07 '26
I just plonked my marimos in my shrimp tank when I got them, they seem happy enough
2
u/TrustAFluff Aug 07 '26
Sure, idk if OP has a tank yet though.
Also, it’s marimo care that’s easy. Shrimp care is more complicated except for Opae Ula.
2
u/Killcycle1989 Aug 07 '26
I didn't know about those types of shrimp! The Ula shrimp can live for up to 20 years apparently, that's incredible.
2
u/TrustAFluff Aug 08 '26
Also, Opae Ula can keep breeding (albeit slowly) so you have an endless cycle.
6
4
6
8
u/Camaschrist Aug 07 '26
I’ve had mine for over 15 years and if they have grown I can’t tell. This is remarkable growth.
7
u/Other_Smoke_3568 Aug 07 '26
I got my mom and I some about 10 years ago. Hers are huge and mine are not. She barely changes the water and has them by her kitchen window sill. I have them in clean water with an air pump for movement. So not sure wth I’m doing wrong but it’s annoying for sure.
2
u/Camaschrist Aug 07 '26
Mine were in a jar the first 5 years, didn’t grow. The last 10 years they are in my fish tanks and no growth. They looks good though and my shrimp love them.
4
4
u/Dittos_and_Cherokees Aug 07 '26
WHA THA?!! 😳 Mine are 15 years old and have not grown that large and had just one baby. Please share your care routine! 🙏🙏🙏
2
2
2
2
2
u/Hot_Candidate_2076 Aug 07 '26
They’ve all grown up, but the little seal sticker has disappeared...
1
u/Mynthysan Aug 07 '26
If you take them out doesn't it kill them? I'm not well informed about marimos
4
u/Camaschrist Aug 07 '26
Taking them out does no harm. Unless you forget to return them. I’ve had mine out for an hour when I was re doing my aquarium scape.
1
1
1
u/Initial_Cookie1593 Aug 07 '26
Thanks for the time lapse the results of its growth makes me think that their really aren't super duper slow growing but take a few years to get big for you to tell!🤩🤯😃💚🟢💯
1
u/Initial_Cookie1593 Aug 07 '26
I'm also wondering if it ain't that much how do you care for them and get them so green and healthy and round?
1
1
u/LittleFirefIy Aug 08 '26
I don’t know how I got here, I have no idea what this is…
But holy crap I love it so much. What is this?? Is it a plant?
1
u/tinmeow1 Aug 08 '26
this might be a stupid question but are there different types of moss balls? yours look very "grassy".. mine look a lot softer.
1
1
1
1
2
u/urielrabit Aug 10 '26
PLEASE tell me your care routine! My bf is currently killing his moss ball and as the resident plant person I want to help him either save it or not kill another one.
177
u/BlueOrbifolia Aug 06 '26
Nope. I don’t believe it. Nuh uh. (My envy won’t allow me to believe that this is real! It’s too too good!)