I understand growing lichen is a multi-step process of various organisms? Does anyone know how to make it? And is it possible to transplant it?
I know it takes a long time for lichen to establish. I have a retaining wall as well as some small rocks I've placed in gardens and I would like to have lichen as well as moss grow on them - it makes them look like they have been there forever. The moss is easy enough to grow, it just takes time & patience; I have several locations where both "sunny" & "shady" mosses are establishing nicely so I can transplant it, but have no idea how to do lichen on purpose.

Yours is an interesting question; I am looking forward to hearing the replies.

Hi Bob. Here are some links from Lichen lovers org. Hope these help.

http://lichenlovers.org/lichen...

http://lichenlovers.org/

and a couple others

http://www.gardenplansireland....

http://www.gardeningtipsnideas...

I have no idea how to grow it on purpose, but... most of the lichen here seems to grow on trees or the trellises in my garden. Which is not to say you can't grow it on your rocks, I HAVE seen that too.

Thanks Jean - great starting points! It sounds like the medium is similar to what is used to grow moss. The Irish site has some very interesting pictures of lichens,

Yes, Sandy, I see more of it from branches that drop out of trees, but there are several colonies on rocks around my yard. I even have some growing on the side of my pickup near the rear view mirrors on a rough surface (plastic?). The truck sits under the same tree that has lichen on fallen branches.

You are most welcome, Bob. Yes, it is very much like aging containers with moss. I had no idea until I started looking around. I liked that site also...pretty basic info, but great pictures.

Hmm. if you are so inclined, you could use treating your wall with lichens as a gardening idea /how to article.

I might do that, Jean... I need to successfully do it first though I think, since someone might ask how I did it.

Now that I've looked at the sites I'm not only more excited about trying this, but I would like to be able to grow many different kinds; it could be a special "garden" in its own right. I am encouraging several varieties of mosses; they make a nice conversation piece if nothing else. We walk past mosses very day and don't stop to realize how many varieties are around us - I often use that fact to get kids to look at something besides just their silly cellphones! I can add lichen to that.

If I can get existing lichen to colonize my next dream is to see if I can learn how to "breed" them from different algae & fungi.

I know... you're thinking I should get a hobby...

That is the documentation point. As you mix and paint with lichen starter and treat it to grow, along with your mosses, you take a few pictures and notes. Those can go from a Garden tip/idea into a full blown article.

Gee Bob, I thought this WAS your hobby.