Best source and type of sphagnum moss?

[RichKid]

I live in Southeast PA and I am having a hard time finding sphagnum moss. I have seen it for sale on the internet and I have seen different varieties. I want to use it for layering. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[GrimLore]

I live in Southeast PA and I am having a hard time finding sphagnum moss. I have seen it for sale on the internet and I have seen different varieties. I want to use it for layering. Any ideas? Thanks.

Small bags: Lowes, Home Depot, KMart, WalMart
Big Bags: Tractor Supply, Agway(much less expensive)

Call ahead before you drive but those places all stock it "most" of the time.

 

[Poink88]

This is what I bought and are pretty good.

Price is much better if you buy multiple packs.
http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-Long-Fiber-Sphagnum/dp/B0015HZI90

 

[Stan Kengai]

You can get bagged sphagnum moss at just about any nursery and most big box stores, generally in the orchid and houseplant supplies. Don't get the colored moss, which is typically dyed green. You're looking for "long fibered" sphagnum, and it should be tan/light brown.

FWIW, damp sphagnum wrapped in plastic works ok for layering, and you don't have to keep up with it too much. But if you're able to water 2-3 times a week, a cup with bonsai soil makes a far superior root system.

 

[RichKid]

FWIW, damp sphagnum wrapped in plastic works ok for layering, and you don't have to keep up with it too much. But if you're able to water 2-3 times a week, a cup with bonsai soil makes a far superior root system.[/QUOTE]

I have heard this before. Knowing that everyone has their own soil components, what exactly would you suggest as far as components in the bonsai soil?

 

[yenling83]

The best sphagnum moss available in the U.S. generally comes from New Zealand. This is much safer and cleaner to use than others that I have seen. Generally New Zealand sphagnum is sold for Orchids. Usually the lighter in color the better. I get mine on Ebay. I use chopped Sphagnum to cover the surface of certain trees, when collecting native trees, sometimes for airlayers and to help with root cuttings. Usually for layering I just use bonsai soil-usually pumice and lava, sometimes akadama.


I've purchased this before and it was good quality.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Long-Fiber-...735?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc9636f4f

Here's a great article on sphagnum that Owen Reich, apprentice at Kouka-en Bonsai Nursery in Japan wrote:

http://yamadoriforsale.com/2012/12/08/mizu-goke-and-the-benefits-to-bonsai-by-owen-reich/

 

[GrimLore]

I think you wil find that moss, peat, and potting soil in equal parts works well bound in saran. Cut some small holes ot he top of the saran and a few small drain holes in the boto. Seems we do not get a LOT of rain and that combo you can see and water if need be. There are hundreds of ways and things you can do I am just stating what works well in this area.

 

[Poink88]

The best sphagnum moss available in the U.S. generally comes from New Zealand.

I agree 100%...just note that it usually costs a lot more (quality always does).

When buying, use weight if you can and get the unit cost. Otherwise, it is a crap shoot using volume since some will be loosely packed and others could be pressed solid.

 

[Stan Kengai]

I have heard this before. Knowing that everyone has their own soil components, what exactly would you suggest as far as components in the bonsai soil?

I use turface, lava and pine bark at about 2:2:1. The great thing is that the layer gets most of its water from the parent plant, until you cut it off. This means that you're not "watering" the layer, you're simply keeping the roots from drying out. If you are noticing that the plant is taking water considerably more often, say every other day, then it's probably ready to be cut off.

 

[dick benbow]

somebody already beat me to the punch, whitish colored new zealand is best, usually marketed to orchid growers. I have it growing on my property but for safety reasons purchased the above.

 

[ghues]

somebody already beat me to the punch, whitish colored new zealand is best, usually marketed to orchid growers. I have it growing on my property but for safety reasons purchased the above.

Hi Dick,
What are the safety reasons you speak about?.....we have a lot of it up here in our wetlands and I was thinking about collecting some this year.
Cheers
Graham

 

[Poink88]

Hi Dick,
What are the safety reasons you speak about?

Probably this...
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/sporotrichosis/
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/sporotrichosis/causes.html

Note that it can be encountered anywhere, I believe even roses. It is not bad to be cautious but face it...danger is everywhere...even in the air we breathe.

 

[cmeg1]

Don't forget to check a hydro store.

 

[GrimLore]

Or just go to a good Farm supply that we have many of in this region and they will provide you with a good quality product at a decent cost - geesh, why is it a simple question turns into an Alton Brown discussion only acceptable if backed by Scientific Research? He is trying to do something in my neck of the woods and I stated what works well here. Why all the concerns

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

long fiber sphagnum

NZ Sphagnum has a fairly high phenolic content, compared to the species native to northern US states. The Wisconsin native sphagnum probably has the lowest phenolic content. The phenolic compounds serve as a mild antimicrobial, and also preserves the moss from breaking down. This is the reason it is touted for orchids and doing air layering. It discourages pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and it lasts about 1 to 2 years without breaking down.

Most orchid growing supply houses carry NZ sphagnum, usually in compressed 1 or 2 kg bales.

 

[RichKid]

Grimlore you got me laughing with that last one! I will try both ways with the bonsai soil recommendation and with some old fashioned moss, I'll probably try agway, theres one near me in West Chester. Thanks a lot everyone! This is why I love this forum. Everyone helps out.

 

[ghues]

Probably this...
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/sporotrichosis/
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/sporotrichosis/causes.html

Note that it can be encountered anywhere, I believe even roses. It is not bad to be cautious but face it...danger is everywhere...even in the air we breathe.

I appreciate the info but perhaps I should have been more specific, the author of the post is asking about the best sphagnum moss to use....I've seen adn heard about the merrits of NZ moss but my reference to Dick was more on the line of local sources........I've collected a number of trees from local wetlands where they trees had rooted in the sphagnum moss....so why wouldn't it be good to use?
G

 

[Poink88]

....so why wouldn't it be good to use?

I am not Dick so I cannot be certain but as I said earlier....probably because of sporotrichosis. I assumed because I've read that & seen it discussed in other forums before. As I mentioned earlier too...the mold is also present in roses, hay, soil, etc. (not just sphagnum moss) so IMHO the precaution is moot. I would use what is locally available if I were you.

Again, I may be mistaken. Why not PM him?

 

[GrimLore]

I am pretty certain although it might seem more "natural" to collect a large amount of things it does not come without "risks". When I get Moss or Pine Horse Bedding from the local feed place I can be "almost positive" that I am not bringing home any unwanted parasites or unwanted chemicals at a very reasonable cost. As with anything you could have problems but the chances are slimmer in a controlled host.

 

[ghues]

I am not Dick so I cannot be certain but as I said earlier....probably because of sporotrichosis. I assumed because I've read that & seen it discussed in other forums before. As I mentioned earlier too...the mold is also present in roses, hay, soil, etc. (not just sphagnum moss) so IMHO the precaution is moot. I would use what is locally available if I were you.

Again, I may be mistaken. Why not PM him?

Dario,
I appreciate the warning but I've been working in, walking through, examining, soil profiling, the wetlands and associated uplands of the pacific northwest temparate rain forests for 39 years, I'm 60 this year and I haven't even had a sneeze working with the sphagnum moss we have.
Graham