How many of you have ever heard about marimo? Very few, aren’t you? Well, it’s not surprising, but we are writing precisely to let you know about these cute algae balls.
Marimo -or Cladophora ball, moss ball or lake ball– is a rare growth form of a species of filamentous green algae called Aegagropila linnaei in which the algae can grow into large green velvety balls; marimo can be found especially in lakes and rivers of Japan, Iceland and Northern Europe and can live more than 200 years -yes, twice as humans- and grow by 2 millimeters each year.
There’s also a legend about these algae which narrates that long ago the daughter of a chief from a tribe near Lake Akan in Japan fell in love with a commoner. The young lovers decided to run away because their families didn’t accept their love but, during the escape, the two fell into the lake and drowned to death together; in this lake they then turned into Marimo moss balls, and that’s why this plant is now known as a sign of love, good luck and attachment. That’s also why marimo are considered a national treasure in Japan and called “love plants”: in fact, today, marimo are gifted to the person with whom the giver desires to spend the rest of their lives.
Now why should you get a Marimo?
Parents still buy goldfish for their kids and you must be thinking “Why fish?”.
The best first pet must provide a sense of responsibility towards its care and maintenance. However, taking care of the pet mustn’t be difficult and it shouldn’t die easily.
Like we said before, Marimo live for a very long period of time and they’re also very cheap, about 15€ each one.
That’s what you need for your moss ball pet to survive:
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Water: You should change it once every two weeks using regular tap water and give a light squeeze to the ball to pop the air bubbles.
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Small container with substrate for display.
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Plenty of indirect light: it turns brown if it is getting direct light!
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The right temperature: it is native to cool lakes and should be kept cool.
Small glass container isn’t the only place where you can put Marimo in. They are welcome additions to freshwater aquariums, they naturally absorb toxic nitrates in water and act like miniature filters, cleaning the water, or you can carry them around your neck in a tiny glass charm filled with water!
Another quality is that they’re aesthetically pleasing and beautiful to see in every kind of furnishing thanks to their simple appearance. Watch them while you’re studying or working will bring you calm and serenity and even if they don’t bark you can give them original and cute names!
Marimo, in their simplicity and cuteness, can make people feel a bit more relaxed and peaceful and allow them to kick back: they do not require much effort and they are daily with us floating serenely, quietly and softly.
Giada Bruseghini e Samuele Bianchini classe 3^AL
