Sphagnum moss alternatives

[Sethlee]

Can you use perlite in air layerings.. shredded bark.. vermiculite? Any other material besides sphagnum moss

 

[AaronThomas]

The beauty of sphagnum moss is that it has natural anti fungal and anti bacterial properties keeping your environment clean while doing the air layer. It also doesn't break down... neither does vermiculite or perlite for that mater.
Sphagnum moss also retains more water.

Sorry didn't answer your question...but this is why its used.

 

[just.wing.it]

Sure.
People use sphagnum because it has a natural rooting hormone in it and it holds more water than almost anything.
Other substrates will need more watering.

 

[Sethlee]

The beauty of sphagnum moss is that it has natural anti fungal and anti bacterial properties keeping your environment clean while doing the air layer. It also doesn't break down... neither does vermiculite or perlite for that mater.
Sphagnum moss also retains more water.

Sorry didn't answer your question...but this is why its used.

Right, and ideally I would like to use it. But seems to be super hard to find down here in Alabama.

 

[HENDO]

Right, and ideally I would like to use it. But seems to be super hard to find down here in Alabama.

Did you try any pet stores? I have found some suitable for bonsai in the reptile sections before - more expensive that buying in larger quantities but it worked quite well for air layering.

 

[just.wing.it]

Home Depot?

 

[AaronThomas]

I order mine from Amazon.

Amazon.com : Sun Bulb 50450 Better Gro Orchid Moss, 190 cu.in : Soil And Soil Amendments : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Sun Bulb 50450 Better Gro Orchid Moss, 190 cu.in : Soil And Soil Amendments : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

A bit pricey but it is also available at Loews and Walmart nationwide for under $6.

 

[Sethlee]

Did you try any pet stores? I have found some suitable for bonsai in the reptile sections before - more expensive that buying in larger quantities but it worked quite well for air layering.

I haven’t even thought of it but it makes sense. Preeciate that

 

[Sethlee]

Home Depot?

I’ve scoured the lowes/ h depot and every nursery in my city nada.

 

[Sethlee]

I order mine from Amazon.

Amazon.com : Sun Bulb 50450 Better Gro Orchid Moss, 190 cu.in : Soil And Soil Amendments : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Sun Bulb 50450 Better Gro Orchid Moss, 190 cu.in : Soil And Soil Amendments : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

A bit pricey but it is also available at Loews and Walmart nationwide for under $6.

I’ve looked at it online, but not very confident ordering anything “alive” online. Our Walmart’s and Lowe’s have dried moss, peat moss galore, but live sphagnum moss is not generally carried in my area

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Orchid supply companies. Long fiber Chilean or New Zealand sphagnum moss is a stable of the orchid hobby.

Orchid Growing Supplies - Plants for Sale Columbia Station Ohio | Roberts Flower Supply

Home INDEX

Orchids By Hausermann: Storefront

Sphagnum Moss

Check out the deal on Sphagnum Moss at Orchids By Hausermann

www.orchidsbyhausermann.com

Just use google, there are many more suppliers beyond these 2, I buy my sphagnum from Hausermann's but they are local to me so I don't have to ship.

 

[Sethlee]

Thanks I’ll check into that. Was hoping some other people had used something other than sphagnum for air layering, but apparently it’s a must have.

 

[Anthony]

We use the moss removed from the bonsai soil.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Rockwool is an alternative that doesn't hold much to support bacterial or fungal growth. But it's darn hard to get out of the root system.

 

[VAFisher]

The stuff from Amazon is good. Just buy it.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I've tried bonsai mix and other things for air layers, for me, in my situation, long fiber sphagnum moss is by far the best for air layering. The others simply did not perform as well. Sometimes they worked, but one key difficulty is keeping the media moist without being too wet. Bonsai potting media in a hanging pot, tended to dry out.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

People use sphagnum because it has a natural rooting hormone in it

Do you know perhaps what that hormone might be?
I see the claim a lot, but only on bonsai related stuff. The rest of the gardening world doesn't know about it. I honestly think it might be a persistent myth, but I'm open to be corrected.

 

[bonsaichile]

Orchid supply companies. Long fiber Chilean or New Zealand sphagnum moss

If it is Chilean, then you know it is good!

 

[Emanon]

Can you use perlite in air layerings.. shredded bark.. vermiculite? Any other material besides sphagnum moss

I used yamagoke (mountain) moss last year on a tree I ground layered and it rooted really well. It's what I had. Not sure if I just got lucky though? I found it clung to the trunk really well.

 

[just.wing.it]

Do you know perhaps what that hormone might be?
I see the claim a lot, but only on bonsai related stuff. The rest of the gardening world doesn't know about it. I honestly think it might be a persistent myth, but I'm open to be corrected.

I don't... Maybe I need to be corrected....but I've read that one for years.