Best source and type of sphagnum moss?

[GrimLore]

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

My Wife is an Enviornmental Engineer and honest I believe you have no problems. My advice to Rich was to have him not run into any unexpected problems as he is new to Bonsai. A person as yourself and my Wife have the background and the knowledge to collect and test. He however just wanted to get started so several of us pointed him to products that will not give him any problems.

 

[october]

If you are using any kind of sphagnum moss, it is true that it can be highly toxic. In fact, the lung infections that it creates, can, almost lead to or be deadly. However, the way around this is to make sure it is wet when you are working with it. The problem arises when it is dry and you are inhaling it. From what I understand, it seems some people are more susceptible to lung infections than others. This is the same thing whe nyou are sifting your own bonsai soil. It is highly recommended that you try not to inhale the dust going int othe air.

Also, if you collect any kind of moss. You are always taking a risk of passing along any pests or disease the moss has to the tree that it is added to.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

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

Just to clarify...I am not the one who issued the warning...I just provided info.

If anything, I actually encourage going with what is locally available (w/ proper precaution) since I believe they are free and no worse than the imported (JMHO).

 

[rockm]

Oh for Chirssakes, the Sporotrichosis infectino is indeed rare, which is why when a bonsaiist who had been working with sphagnum moss dies from such an inefection, it's worth taking notice.

No one's not saying don't use sphagnum moss. I've said that people should take precautions in using it.

Dry spores can be breathed in and get lodged in lungs--which produced the variation of the disease that killed Brian Batchelder in Florida. They can also get into abrasion and/or cuts on the skin--which is the most common form that produces a bump on the skin...

That's the long and the short of it.

Trying not to breathe the dust when you're working with it and wear gloves when working with it. I started wearing latex gloves when I work with bonsai soil anyway, since it can really do a number on your skin over a week or two of repotting...

 

[GrimLore]

The more I read on a WIDE variety of products I will work with a lot this Spring I am going to use the disposable air masks a lot more this year. I used them for paint projects and when I am working outside in the past and got used to it far quicker then I thought I would. Also worked out great when the 6 ton of crushed stone you see in my avatar was delivered which I moved to that area. Seems a lot of things cause a bunch of dust which I just don't want to breath in even if it is "safe".

 

[ghues]

The more I read on a WIDE variety of products I will work with a lot this Spring I am going to use the disposable air masks a lot more this year. I used them for paint projects and when I am working outside in the past and got used to it far quicker then I thought I would. Also worked out great when the 6 ton of crushed stone you see in my avatar was delivered which I moved to that area. Seems a lot of things cause a bunch of dust which I just don't want to breath in even if it is "safe".

To Grim, Rockm Poink88 and October I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR lol.
That’s the thing about posts.....Do I explain it to the finest detail needed to cover all bases which as you now can take on a life of its own (and cause typing cramps). I try not to ass u me but I also understand the point of someone new at it with a completely different background and experience.
For me....I do a lot of carving/wood working so I've used dusk masks and latex gloves in the bonsai related tasks such as; mixing soil, muck, repotting etc... it’s just like a work related SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) or a SWP (Safe work Practice)...once its ingrained it becomes second nature, you don’t think about it …just do it.
Sorry I didn't intend to confuse anyone.
Cheers Graham

 

[GrimLore]

I did not disagree with you Sir - I just pointed out that using proper safety measures is important