Storing sphagnum moss

[meliana]

Boring question over here: I've found myself with a good deal of leftover sphag that will need to be stored for a while, as I really only use it for rescue plants when the need arises. What are some good ways to store it? It came pre-moistened in a ziploc-style plastic bag.

Mainly I want to ensure that there will be nothing growing on it and it will be safe to use whenever I happen to need it, within reason of course.

[jeremyinsf]

You can leave it in the bag. If you leave it open a bit it will dry up - then just moisten it up again when you need it.

I keep mine in a large plastic shoebox (from costco, for storage) kind of thing.

[Nepenthesis]

Compact it down (not squish, this is to save space) and put it in your desired storage container. Leave it outside for a day or two, or just put it in the sun. It should dry out within a few hours if it is just moist and it is in the sun. Once it is dry, close the container and store it.

I have all of my bales of dry Sphagnum on the floor of my greenhouse under the growing shelves. They don't need a certain temperature/light.

Just make sure they are 100% dry or they may start growing mold/bacteria.

As jeremyinsf said, add water when you want to use it and it will be back to its original state. Good luck!

[meliana]

Ooof, Nepenthesis, I live in an apartment in Boston, so sun is for sure not happening... more like leave it outside to freeze to the sidewalk! But that all sounds like solid advice, and I'm sure I can come up with something similar. Thanks everyone!

[Nepenthesis]

Originally Posted by meliana

Ooof, Nepenthesis, I live in an apartment in Boston, so sun is for sure not happening... more like leave it outside to freeze to the sidewalk! But that all sounds like solid advice, and I'm sure I can come up with something similar. Thanks everyone!

It'll dry out if you just expose it to the air enough. It loses water just as easily as it soaks it up!