Sphagnum moss winter care

[GregorK]

hello

In my previous post i was asking for bark storage tips and now i am interested in how to treat my live sphagnum moss over winter.

I have in in a plastic bowl and i keep it moist all the time.
But i dont know how to take care of it when the winter comes. It can get really cold here ( -20°c).
Should i take it inside and grow it like before, or should i leave it on my balcony over winter ( dry, or wet?) to freeze like in nature?

Should i cut, dry and store the "harvest" or just leave it like it is- full grown?

Thanks in avance for the tips

Gregor

[WhiteRabbit]

I would think it should come inside, or be harvested to dry. Not really sure tho - hopefully others can give definite advice...

[naoki]

Gregor, if it is local sphag, then it should be fine outside. I grow local Alaskan sphag moss in a small tray. I just leave it outside, and it's ok. Most of the time it is covered by snow (so well insulated, and the temp is stable around -1C, even if the air temp is -40C), but during the shoulder season, it does experience quite a bit of freezing.

[GregorK]

Yes it's a local sphagnum. It wont be covered with snow since it is on my balcony. but i can cover the pot with a plastic bag or something.
And i think i am going to harvest it before.
I was also wondering. How long is the dry moss useable? I am asking for a harvested dry moss that is stored in a plastic bag and i aso have a small block of sphagnum that i ordered online. and it is vacuum packed. Is there a time limit for it?

thanks for the answers