live sphagnum moss - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Imperial_Exotics · #11 09-30-2010, 11:36 PM

AS I recall, the AOS publication had a very good article on the use of Sphagnum moss, in the March issue this year.

There was also a really nice Jewel orchid article as well.

RJSquirrel · #12 10-01-2010, 07:19 AM

thank you!!

my sphagnum starts to turn green and grow again so its never really not alive

s1214215 · #13 10-09-2010, 02:22 PM

I use a live moss here in Thailand, similar to Spaghnum, but it does not live above 82F. Seedlings love it. Never had it go off. Main thing with live moss is they dont like salt build up, so I use reverse osmosis water and flush the pods periodically with pure water to clean the moss after fertiliser.

Also, do not use Java moss, it seems to exude a toxin that kills roots. Great in aquariums, sucks with plants. Maybe thats why fish dont eat the stuff.
Brett

Vanda lover · #14 01-17-2011, 10:26 PM

I prefer sphagnum, because it is easy to tell when it is dry. I've never used it live, though. If it seems to be drying out too much at the surface, and not underneath, I mist the surface. I also use styrofoam peanuts at the bottom of the pot, and have holes in the pot whenever possible, so that it dries out quickly.

Fishballs · #15 01-18-2011, 01:33 AM

I like gowing moss almost as much as the orchids themselves. I grow nine different types of moss, I have no idea what kinds, and I plant it on all my mounts. I grow it on top of upside down clay pots to use as beds for delicate keikis and divisions. Sometimes the beds sprout suprises like liverworts, grasses, ferns, etc. I also sprinkle orchid seed on them but have yet to see any growth.

Vanda lover · #16 01-18-2011, 01:48 AM

I read on the internet that Paphs do really well in live moss, but that the drawback is that even the smallest bit of fertilizer will kill the moss. It's great for seedlings but if you want them to bloom well, they need fertilizer

Phalguy · #17 01-18-2011, 06:09 PM

Hello!

Excuse my ignorance but how do you know if it's live moss and not algie growing on my sphag?

I always thought that was algies!!!

Is there a way to indentify which is which?

Thanks

Vanda lover · #18 01-18-2011, 06:34 PM

It could be either. Algea will grow on moss if the conditions are bright and humid, but sometimes Sphag will start growing from dead moss. It's most likely moss. We have lots of kinds of moss here, but I haven't been able to find any Sphag, even in the garden centres. I just bought some live from someone on eBay.