Best Sphagnum Variety/Brand?

[HiOrcDen]

So I want to buy some sphagnum moss.

Is it definitely advisable to use NZ Sphagnum only? I have something from Santa Barbara called super moss. It does not specify that it's NZ.

If I ought to go with NZ sphagnum, is there a particular brand(s) and/or variety that I should employ?

A major breeder told me she only uses a certain brand of NZ moss, but I cannot recall the brand!

I have seen that Besgrow is made by the makers of Orchiata, and claims to be tops. Also AAA is recommended. Which of these are best, or is there another, better brand?

Also, there are specific variations, with color and length of moss shredded fibers. Which of these are best?

[Ray]

The best stuff I have personally used is the Besgro product. If I’m not mistaken, the “AAA” is not a brand, but a grade, with AAAAA being the “best of the best”, with very long, continuous fibers; the stuff is primarily shipped to Japan where it can be more easily “rolled up” for the way any orchids there are grown.

A Google search indicates Supermoss is permanently closed.

[Lil Duck]

The number of A's signifies the length of the sphagnum strands. The only two brands I have used are One Mile Moss and Besgrow. For One Mile Moss I would aim for getting the AAAA grade but the AAA grade is fine if you can't find it. For Besgrow only get Primer grade or Supreme grade, the other two grades have too many fines. Don't buy the AAAAA grade or Spagmoss Strands as those are used for Furan wrapping and are way too expensive to be used as a potting medium. I would personally buy One Mile Moss as their moss leans longer than Besgrows. You can buy it from Brookside orchids, Besgrow is available at Fifth Season Gardening.

[Roberta]

For the OP and others in southern California, there are a couple of local sources of good sphagnum (save shipping):
Yamada Co. in Gardena usually has the Premier grade of Spagmoss, as well as Orchiata bark
Sunset Valley Orchids sells AAA grade NZ sphagnum (don't know the brand), and Kiwi Bark.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I get the Besgro brand at Lowe's.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

I get the Besgro brand at Lowe's.

You are very fortunate! Big-box home improvement stores near me have nothing suitable for orchids. Even nursery chains like Armstrongs have little or nothing, or if they do it's for small quantities at exorbitant prices

[Lil Duck]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

I get the Besgro brand at Lowe's.

Do you mean Better Grow Orchid Moss? If so that stuff is Chilean sphagnum which turns to suffocating mush in around 6 months.

[Dalachin]

My Lowes sells packages labeled “long fibered spagnum moss” which is actually horrible dry powdery stuff. It probably helped me kill off some of my early sale shelf acquisitions. The bark they sell is just as bad… dry uneven sized chips floating in dust.

This stuff is good: (obtained online, can’t remember where)

[Dimples]

I buy the Better Gro moss every once and awhile when I see it stocked at Lowe’s, but I don’t use it for my orchids except as a top layer on my one zygo. It’s fine for short term uses like rooting houseplant cuttings, but it’s not the best stuff. In a pinch it’s not the worst you can buy if you can find it.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I use moss for mounts and sphag n bag only. I have killed everything I have planted in it.