Marimo

Cladophora ball or Moss Balls or better known as Marimo  is a kind of water plant that found at Hokkaido, Japan. Legend believed that Marimo bring good luck and love to the close ones. It is said that taking good care of Marimo will make one's wishes comes true, so it's not just a plant, is a pet. :)


The plant was named as Marimo by a Japanese botanist named Tatsuhiko Kawakami in 1898. "Mari" means bouncy play ball and "Mo" means a generic term for plants that grow in water. In Japan, Marimo are a protected species. There are 3 types of Marimo. First is Nano Marimo which length about 8mm to 14mm. Second is Giant Marimo which length about 30mm to 40mm and lastly is Super Giant Marimo that lenght up from 50mm to 60mm. The growth rate of a Marimo is about 5mm per year. Hence, a giant Marimo is about 7 years old!


How to care for Marimo?


Domestic Marimo grow in tap water at a room temperature as long as the water is changed every one or two weeks (more frequently in summer and less often in winter). Marimo also can be place in the refrigerator but does not survive freezing. Photosynthesis occurs in normal household lighting, otherwise, indirect sunlight since the marimo is adapted for low light conditions only. If the Marimo green color turns brownish, it may recover without intervention, otherwise a very minimal amount of salt can be added as suggested remedy. To prevent Marimo from sickness, clean Marimo by rubbing Marimo surface in a rolling motion and press the Marimo's skin with your index finer and thumb. Marimo also can squeeze with your both palms to let the water completely out while Marimo is in the water. 

You can get this Marimo at Ikano Power Centre, Tokyo Street Pavilion, 1 Utama Damansara and Subang Empire GalleryShopping Centre.
Click here to get to know more about Marimo. :)