Where can I find live angel moss?

[CariC]

Hi everyone. I've been reading in posts here about the benefits of using live angel moss. Can anyone tell me where to order it? I can't seem to find it anywhere. Thank you!

[katrina]

You'll find it easier if you search for New Zealand Sphagnum Moss instead of Angel.

CalWest Tropical and Kelley's Korner
are both good vendors and the prices are reasonable...especially if you're looking for a large amount.

If you need only a small amount you could also probably find it at HD and Lowe's.

[CariC]

Thank you!

[Stray59]

HUMMM- I have not seen live N.J. sphagnum at Home Depot or Lowe's - If you truly want live moss you will most likely have to special order it. May I ask what you are using it for? I have a couple of Sophronitis coccinea that are found in the wild growing on masses of live moss and it is reported that they almost require this due to their moisture needs. I am trying my hand at raising some moss, but it will be Indiana, USA moss, which should work none the less. I am having some success but still too early for true outcomes.
If you do locate a source for live moss, please pass it on as I may be needing some very soon (re-potting time).
Thanks for a good question -
Steve

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Stray59

HUMMM- I have not seen live N.J. sphagnum at Home Depot or Lowe's - If you truly want live moss you will most likely have to special order it.

OOPS! I didn't catch the "live" part. Stray is right...you'll have to special order it if you want live but you don't need live for growing orchids...they do great in dried.

Side note-- although not the norm...I have had some of my NZ sphagnum come alive. I don't know how...I don't know why...but I have had live sphagnum sprout from what was previously dried. I assume the spores/seeds in it. Maybe?

[Ray]

Most dried sphagnum has enough viable spores in it that if you keep it soaked with PURE water, it will germinate and start growing. By itself, it makes a spectacular medium, as it stays moist yet airy, but any application of fertilizer will kill it.


Ray Barkalow
Sent using Tapatalk

[Brooke]

Yes I've had the same thing occur on my NZ moss too. I get it on some of my Bulbos because they are constantly wet.

I also get two other types of live moss that are totally different than NZ live moss. They were free from spores being drawn into the g/h by the vent fans. One is very low growing and the other is thick and about an inch tall. This type can over power a small plant if you are not careful.

Cari if you are just beginning to grow orchids, live moss can be tricky until you understand the watering needs of the plant.

Stray I don't know why you think you need live moss to grow your C. coccinea. It will do great on a mount without it or do you want it for the look?

Brooke

---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

Most dried sphagnum has enough viable spores in it that if you keep it soaked with PURE water, it will germinate and start growing. By itself, it makes a spectacular medium, as it stays moist yet airy, but any application of fertilizer will kill it.


Ray Barkalow
Sent using Tapatalk

I do use rainwater for all of my orchids but have never found fertilizer to kill it. My Bulbos get lots of fertilizer and it doesn't kill the live sphag.

Brooke

[Stray59]

Brooke:
It is partially for the look, but also due to, in nature, Sophronitis coccinea grow almost exclusively on beds of live moss - it raises the humidity and keeps a constant moisture level at the roots. I know they don't HAVE to have it, (obviously as neither of mine do) but I want it as it is so cool looking and it does help with the moisture retention/humidity. As I say, I have some Indiana moss growing, but it is in the development stages and hasn't taken off yet. Also, when I got the Soph's they had the moss bed intact and the supplier said he always has it growing in the pots for just the reasons I mentioned.
Just another experiment I suppose, but moss will show the conditions are too dry faster than the orchid will and again, I just want to try it out. I wish my NZ sphagnum would sprout - it makes sense it would, but so far I haven't had that success!
Thanks for asking,
Steve
p.s. I used to live five hours south of Indianapolis, in Southern Illinois - while out hiking one day I and a small group of friends stumbled across a creek where what LOOKED exactly like sphagnum was growing wild. I wish I could remember where it was, as I would love to go back - there was a fern bank and some Dogtooth violet patches that were just out of this world!

[Auger]

Is angel moss a specific type of moss or a brand. Theres a brand that calls itself Angel Moss, and sells liners for baskets and bales of dried moss, its sphagnum moss from New Zealand. I have a bale of dried Angel Moss I got from New World Orchids, that they labeled as 4A moss, that I used to repot my neos. If your looking to grow New Zealand sphag, you can try growing them from the dried stuff, or you can try and buy some, but you have to look for "Sphagnum cristatum" is probably the main NZ sphag. The Besgrow Company (who sells Orchiata world wide) also sell sphag, and they also do have a product line called "Fresh Moss" that "will continue to grow in the right conditions". You can contact one of their distributors Where to buy Besgrow The first place I'd try is Acadian in GA. I know they will sell small hobby bag of Orchiata, so they may sell "Fresh Moss".

Or you can buy live sphag from ebay, or carnivous plant stores but I don't know what kind of sphag they are, since there different varieties, and they normally just advertise live sphag and most likely its going to be an American variety. I've been doing research my self to see if I could grow live sphag, and have some buds from the dried NZ stuff in a zip lock bag to see if I can make it sprout. But one place that I'm thinking of ordering live sphag from is Meadowview Biological Research Station in VA.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by brooke

I do use rainwater for all of my orchids but have never found fertilizer to kill it. My Bulbos get lots of fertilizer and it doesn't kill the live sphag.

Brooke

That's not my experience, but maybe it was the water quality, and not the fertilizer, that caused my issues.

Thanks Brooke. I may try again...