sphagnum moss

[SusanE]

Hello all

I just bought a one pound brick of sphagnum moss. if I "dehydrate" it now and only need to use a little bit, will it keep? Do I let it dry out again until I need more?

Susan

[Lagoon]

Hi Susan,

Yep just keep the rest dried out, since you don't want it to break down before you get a chance to use it

[smartie2000]

Yes I agree...keep the rest dryed out or it will decay. Sort of like it does in a pot

[Shadow]

Hmmm.... I sprayed moss and kept it in a closed clear plastic bag for 1,5 year. It was slightly wet all this time and didn't decay.

[Ray]

I get sphagnum in very compressed, 5 kg mini-bales, and saw them down into approximately 1 pound "bricks".

When I need some, I take a whole brick and expand it by pouring boiling water over it. It swells up and I loosen the fibers, keeping them as intact as possible.

If I end up not using all of it, I let it dry out, and simply rewet it the next time.

Like Shadow, I have occasionally kept sphagnum moist inside of a plastic bag for months at a time with no issues. The "breaking down" we see in the pot occurs as a result of fertilizer exposure more than anything.

[SusanE]

Thanks all--especially to Ray. i bought the moss from you, and hoped you might chime in when I posted the question.

Susan

[Frdemetr]

In the case of Chilean sphagnum (sold by Ray's) I think moist is not a problem; brazilian moss dacays fast if you kept it moist. Fot me the 'national' moss is much cheaper than Chilean, I use it only in seedlings and in plants that need to change media every year.

[SusanE]

Do most of you use gloves when handling?

Susan

[Ross]

Nope! I do as Ray does and rehydrate a bunch then let it dry in a 5-gallon dry wall pail then re-wet just what I need as I need it. I use my bare hands.