Live sphagnum moss???

[Tetra73]

I am not talking about using live sphagnum moss deliberately as medium. What if your dormant sphagnum moss turned live and is growing? I am wondering if it would be an issue. These are original dormant 2 years ago but came to life a year ago. Right now, it seems to be growing thicker. I find it, now, it takes a lot more water before the medium would get saturated. In the past, I could saturate the medium pretty quickly and water would begin to run out at the bottom of my basket. Right now, not so much.....

sheepsheadbaytok11-20_0050 by vracing, on Flickr

[Fishkeeper]

Not an issue at all. With very small plants, it could grow over them, but a plant that size should be fine.
As long as the plant doesn't mind the moisture level that the moss holds, it's no problem.

[Dollythehun]

I agree with fishkeeper, it won't harm it. I have to wonder though, is that really spaghnum or something that seeded (spored) in?

[Tetra73]

Thanks...yeah, these are real sphagnum moss grown from the Better Gro dormant version....I removed the original media on this dendrobium when I first got it more than a year ago.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Tetra73

I am not talking about using live sphagnum moss deliberately as medium. What if your dormant sphagnum moss turned live and is growing? I am wondering if it would be an issue. These are original dormant 2 years ago but came to life a year ago. Right now, it seems to be growing thicker. I find it, now, it takes a lot more water before the medium would get saturated. In the past, I could saturate the medium pretty quickly and water would begin to run out at the bottom of my basket. Right now, not so much.....

I find that fascinating, I had a hard time keeping it alive as a matter of fact I couldn't.

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

I find that fascinating, I had a hard time keeping it alive as a matter of fact I couldn't.

Well, somehow, this dendrobium, which is positioned away from any strong direct wind current from my fans and getting PLENTY of light, seems to be able to keep these moss alive for a long time too. I use dormant sphagnum moss on all of my orchids, from the same bag. Most of them either seem to promote other plants to grow from it...ferns and some weed. heheheh.....

I guess the condition requires them to flourish would be wet to dampness and plenty of light. And no direct air flow to it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I agree with fishkeeper, it won't harm it. I have to wonder though, is that really spaghnum or something that seeded (spored) in?

That is definitely sphagnum.

[Subrosa]

Sphagnum requires basically the same conditions as carnivorous plants. Bright light, constant moisture, low pH and low nutrients.

[fooferdoggie]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Sphagnum requires basically the same conditions as carnivorous plants. Bright light, constant moisture, low pH and low nutrients.

I have tried to grow it in my bug eaters but it never lasts.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by fooferdoggie

I have tried to grow it in my bug eaters but it never lasts.

It does much better for me outside.