I wanted to grow lichens and moss on different surfaces (ceramic, stones, wood and even sponge mat) around my artificial bog. I don’t like to wait some years.
So I thought up a plan to speed this up.
As adhesive I thought wallpaper paste might be suitable. But I could not find a product without any additives because specialized shops are closed.
A recipe for self-made glue was easy to be found. Heating some water till it boils, turn it off and add some starch, stir up until it is dissolved and let it cool. It is clear like water and sticks very well.
To get lichens and moss adequate for my purpose, I looked for these plants on stones, trees, and every surface (even artificial ones) around my home which might be suitable for my surfaces. A hairbrush for dogs with steel bristles worked very well. (One for humans will do too).
I brushed on a windless dry day over the lichen and moss growth and held a tray underneath.
The outcome looked like this.