To Much Sphagnum

[kindrag23]

Okay, ordered some live sphagnum not quite expecting to get this much for the small price I paid....anybody need some...I probably have enough for a 1 quart bag and a sandwich bag.

[Silje]

Keep it!

It stays well and there will be a time when you need some for a mount or as growth medium.

I always have some on stock for whatever orchid project I might think up and impulsively want to do right away.

Edit edit...sorry...! Missed that small, but crucial, word 'live'.

I'd love some, but I can't take it from you. I'm sure the border control people would get a fit.

[kindrag23]

alright then, lol. I just thought wow I still have a STUFFED tight gallon bag 1/2 full. lol. So quite a bit left, glad it keeps well because I am not sure where to put it...

[Silje]

Cut from this web page:

To store your moss, it needs to be kept in a cool place out of direct sunlight. To keep it fresh, it must not be allowed to dry out. Also, do not use tap water which is treated with chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine. Chlorine is a type of bleach to kill bacteria and is fatal to most plants. Moss is particularly sensitive to bad water, so use rainwater (usually acidic) or bottled water (non fizzy!). It can be kept in a plastic bag as long as its a clear plastic to allow sunlight in and its not sealed. Ideally, a garden shed with a window or rooflight would be a good store or a garage which receives some natural light.

Fresh moss will keep for quite a long time without needing to be put into soil like most plants. It can be stored for months, even if not being grown on. It can be dried, if you don't require it to be live. For example, for use in dried arrangements or for a vivarium as a substrate in a dry area. To do this, spread the moss on some type of rack to allow air through it and place in the sun. Allow to dry naturally. Store dried moss in bags in a cool dry place. It will not retain its colour once dried.

[Kevin_PR]

That does sound like a lot of sphag. Sounds like you got enough for a project. Maybe you should do a terrarium Like TOMMYMiami has. I would hit up the local dollar store and see if they have any glass containers. I would take some but I'm not sure if my water is good enough for sphag. I hear it needs really good water.

---------- Post added at 12:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

@silje Do you grow any orchids in live sphagnum?

[kindrag23]

@Eskevingo I am using bottled distilled water cheap and easy.

---------- Post added at 11:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------

also my little betta space is all I got space for. I used it around my African Violets since I water from the bottom as extra humidity. I have it next to my African violets light water, with a clay saucer sitting on top of that with my paph. GodeFroyea sitting on it hopefully helping to rehab it. This is my paph with only 1 super long root, and 2 new looking growths. Im praying for roots like hard....

[Silje]

Originally Posted by Eskevingo

[/COLOR]@silje Do you grow any orchids in live sphagnum?

Would love to use it in combination with something or in a terrarium, but I struggle to get hold of it here. I've got a small moss growing project going, but so far not been very successful.

[shushu45]

I made a moss garden out of my moss. I also did the same with moss that is growing on the side of my house.
I took a ceramic water tray from a big pot and placed a small layer of dirt/compost. Then took the green moss and gently filled in all the brown with it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

You can continue to grow live sphagnum for future needs. It is not too hard, assuming you have an outdoor place to do this.

Besides the moss, you will need a container with no drainage (plastic is fine, also cheap), and high-quality water (collected rain water or distilled water; not sure about RO water, but that may work, too).
You want at least some of the sphagnum oriented with the growing (green) ends pointed in the same direction. These will be "up" in your container. Fill the container with your moss, keep it constantly moist with the rain water (or distilled water). It is probably easiest to keep sphagnum alive in partial/bright shade, but here in Georgia I have seen it growing in full sun to full shade.

[WhiteRabbit]

I had some growing sphag in a fish bowl for a few years. Placed 2-3 inches of dampened (with pure water) peet moss in the bottom of the bowl, layed the sphag on top. Covered with plastic wrap with some holes punched in the top. Set on a fairly shady windowsill. Watered occasionally with pure water, but seldom needed water with the bowl covered.