Sphagnum Moss. Any difference ?

[orchidsarefun]

I always hear/read that long-fibered moss from Chile is best, then New Zealand. I recently came across moss harvested in Wisconsin and bought some as an experiment. Its not "blonde" but a dark colour. Its also about a third of the cost of the other. Anyone use this Wisconsin moss in orchids ? I figured that I would use it in my habenarias ( repotted annually ), and then if it works well, in my orchid seedling trays as I toss this moss after 2-3 months max.

[Gage]

There is a huge difference in the dark and the "blonde" moss. I buy a big bale of the better stuff and it lasts me a long time since I don't use sphag that much. The dark stuff is already rotting so it doesn't last. Go ahead and try what you have, but get some nicer stuff at some point so you can see what your options are and how it behaves.

[orchidsarefun]

I use a lot of sphag, so it would make a big difference to me.
Anyway I am using it in my habenaria lindleyana that has just come out of dormancy, mixed with bark. I am going to be p if it kills it....

[kindrag23]

I bought live sphagnum to up the humidity in my grow tank. I think it was from Wisconsin as well. I use it now for my plants as well as around my hydrangea bush it works well no issues what so ever.

[Fairorchids]

Long long ago, my dad had a permit to collect live moss in a local forest. It worked just fine.

I use spaghnum for all my seedlings and compots (mixed w a little bark & charcoal), as well as my Vandaceous plants in net pots & baskets. Some of the less expensive spaghnums contain a lot of cranberry vines, fern spores and other 'contamination'. Since I chop the spaghnum for use in seedling pots, even the less expensive spaghnum is OK, as long as I stay on top of the weeding.

[lepetitmartien]

Switched to NZ, no coming back.

[james mickelso]

NZ doesn't break down as quickly. Chilean has a lot of trash in it and more tannic acid. Wisconsin moss is great for gardens but I threw away half a bag because it was really trashy. Lots of short fibers and silt.

[RJSquirrel]

I like to use the zoo-med moss from the pet stores. Its a moderatey tolerable blend of long fibre and medium fibre new zealand shpagnum while not being 5A. Its really clean and if you treat it well it will start to grow fresh live sphagnum.



most other mosses to me is very dirty and it smells of ammonia to my big nose when the moss is wet...

I spend a lot of money on my plants. I want the best for them that I can afford. I dont be cheap with the moss.

[james mickelso]

Rocket, Where do you get this from and what's the cost? A small 1 Ft3 bale costs $75 here in SoCal. All I need is about 1/4 that much.

[RJSquirrel]

those run @pet smart on the high end @15.99 and pet mountain online @9.30 plus shipping. Cost ends up about the same. pet depot carries it also