Sphagnum Moss vs. Peat Moss
Allan Balliett
I read somewhere that if you use low quality peat moss, you just as well not
use peat moss at all.
This raised the question: "Is it possible to tell from the outside the bag
what 'grade' of peat is in the bag?"
And is Michigan Peat 'better' than Canadian peat?
ANd while I'm at it, my garden shop had a small bag (about a double handful)
of SPANISH MOSS for $2(!!!!!)
What I'm looking for right now is 'plunge' material for window boxes. I
assumed I'd use sphagnum or Spanish Moss.
I appreciate getting the 'peat' portion clarified!
-Allan
Bob Beer
>use peat moss at all.
>This raised the question: "Is it possible to tell from the outside the bag
>what 'grade' of peat is in the bag?"
>
>And is Michigan Peat 'better' than Canadian peat?
>
>What I'm looking for right now is 'plunge' material for window boxes. I
>assumed I'd use sphagnum or Spanish Moss.
>
>I appreciate getting the 'peat' portion clarified!
Okay, here's the scoop.
True Sphagnum moss grows in bogs, and grows in long strands with a tight
"head" at the growing point. It is often sold dried (this is "long-fiber
sphagnum moss). It has cells which are empty and hold water, hence it is
spongy and holds water well. As this decomposes, it packs into a heavier
material called peat. (Sphagnum peat). This is an acid material and is a
good soil amendment for areas where you want acid soil. Drawbacks: Peat
is "mined" and harvesting it destroys the areas it is gathered from. It
can also be hard to rewet when it dries out.
Sometimes other things are sold as "peat moss". There are alkaline bogs
in Michigan and Wisconsin, dominated by sedges, and so some peat from
there might be sedge peat. This might be good for organic matter but if
you want to create an acid environment for rhododendrons etc. it is not
what you want to use.
Spanish moss is not moss at all, it is a bromeliad (Tillandsia sp.) which
is related to the pineapple plant. Sometimes it is used to disguise the
soil surface in decorative planters (you didn't say what you wanted the
peat/sphagnum for exactly). It is also sold live sometimes as a house
plant along with other bromeliads.
Sometimes, other types of moss are sold as "sphagnum," usually the green
sheet moss that florists use. This is harvested from forest floors, and
is good only for a temporary ornament, not for a soil amendment. It is
not a Sphagnum species. True dried sphagnum will look brown and
fibrous/feathery.
A note on Sphagnum - it can harbor the spores of a fungus which causes a
skin disease, sporotrichosis. Make sure you don't work with it with cuts
on your hands, and wash well after using it. Or better yet, use gloves.
Sporotrichosis is not fun, and takes a while to cure. In the meantime you
get strings of ulcers growing up your arms, and maybe something to post to
alt.tasteless about.
Bob