Looking for Live Sphagnum Moss

[MAli]

Hello,

I didn't really know where to post this but I plan on using the moss in some natural looking mounts I'm working on. Does anyone know where I can get some here in Canada. New Zealand would be preferred but I'll take what I can get even if it's not sphagnum. I just needs LOTS of live moss that will look nice on driftwood.

Thank you

Sorry mods if this is in the wrong place. Feel free to move it if so

[Ray]

I don't know anyone carrying live sphagnum. However, if you take the dried stuff and keep it moist with pure water, it is likely some of the spores will germinate and grow.

High TDS water or fertilizer will prevent germination, or will kill it

[stefpix]

I think if you look on carnivorous plants websites there are some sellers that sell it. I was thinking of getting some myself. I have some moss that is growing with some Pinguiculas and i am trying to propagate some in a glass jar. I water that just with distilled water.

I believe there are about 300 species of the genus Sphagnum.

I also got somecoarse bark with moss from a fallen tree in teh park and i am trying to grow it in a small plastic container on the windowsill next to my shower

[camille1585]

I agree, look at the carnivorous plant websites. NZ sphag may not be the best for mounts, the specialized websites likely have species that would be more suitable.

[WhiteRabbit]

Yes, I have got live sphag from a carnivorous plant seller on ebay

[ezil]

Check out Hawaiian Botanicals (they're located in B.C.). I've ordered from them in the past, but have had very little success with sphagnum moss. They have other mosses as well. You can also ask one of the members of our society for a piece of moss growing in their greenhouse when you come to the next meeting.

[MAli]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I actually posted on OCPS asking for some and got very similar resposes. I have this thing with moss and I use it in a lot of my builds so I'm always looking for it. It's not cheap and there is only so much I can grow in my tiny apartment I currently have six or seven kinds I work with mostly "aquatic" that I acclimatize. Can anyone make some recommendations on anything that will grow nice and fluffy like NZLFS That I can actually get in Canada !

Thanks again guys

[RJSquirrel]

you can get the good fluffy NZ sphagnum to regrow..give it enough light and keep it moist..It starts to grow again. In fact the orchids I keep in jars arent as amazing as the moss the grows in them ..The sphagnum has to be bright and fresh and not all dark and dried out like the standard orchid moss you see in stores all over. When you wet it you shouldnt smell anything like ammonia,( I really havent figured out what that smell is yet and ammonia or cat pee is the closest match). If you do its old and probably not going to grow.The sphagnum should smell like wet grass or hay. It will regrow..if not try these peoples out Hypnum (Fern/Log) Moss Tray | Mountain Moss. if they dont have the moss you want then it hasnt been grown yet. They sell flats of live sphagnum for about 25 bucks that is If you dont feel like taking the time to grow your own..I think its fun to watch moss grow. you cant smoke it though. Well I guess you could

[MAli]

Squirrel that's too funny. It is too bad you can't smoke it but here in Canada we have stuff that looks just like the pretty sphagnum and it's great to smoke !!

Thanks for the link I will check it out.


Just to share with everyone my moss obsession here are some pics of some I keep.

[Bud]

I am a moss gatherer...from brick walls to sidewalk trees in my neighborhood and sometimes at Central Park East near the 5th Av entrance...walls, trees or stones...all I need is a flat wood scraper and a sandwitch bag...upon getting home, wash it/wet it and I immediately stick them to my mounted orchids roots and they thrive...