Alternative for live moss for pot dressing ?

[Paul Mc]

I learned the hard way to be careful with spanish moss. I added it as dressing to one of my orchids and it almost killed my orchid. Spanish moss apparently can carry bacteria and disease, so unless it's been cleaned I wouldn't use it.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I learned the hard way to be careful with spanish moss. I added it as dressing to one of my orchids and it almost killed my orchid. Spanish moss apparently can carry bacteria and disease, so unless it's been cleaned I wouldn't use it.

Paul,

I have used spanish moss, which I grow myself in all my growing areas, in my displays and as pot dressing for years. Perhaps that is why I never have had a problem. It actually acts as a poor man's humidistat in all the areas because if it thrives, I know that the humidity levels are adequate. Perhaps the bad rap it has gotten and you experienced, is because it came from other than clean sources?

CL

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I learned the hard way to be careful with spanish moss. I added it as dressing to one of my orchids and it almost killed my orchid. Spanish moss apparently can carry bacteria and disease, so unless it's been cleaned I wouldn't use it.

really? Never heard about it before... I think living sphagnum moss (which grows on the ground) would be more dangerous (IF!)... are we talking about the same plant? Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)? I know a lot of people who use it as dressing at orchids shows, and also permanently around Vanda roots...