Green Moss the same as Sphagnum moss?

[Orchid_lady]

I want to know if green moss is the same as sphag moss, because I purchased a bag in Home Depot. Since it said that it was for potted plants, baskets and that it was collected from the rainforest. I used it to repot my phal. Am I ok or is this the wrong kind of moss?

[janet_a]

yikes no--the keywords here are "long fibre sphagnum moss." what you have i think is probably spanish moss; among other things it's been known to have all kinds of interesting cooties in it.

what you have is usually used as a top dressing to make pots look nice. i'd grab some long fibre sphag and repot, but not too tight. soak a double hand ful of the stuff in water, and then squeeze it out thoroughly before stuffing it in around your plant's roots. make sure the pot has plenty of holes, and throwing down a layer of packing peanuts in the bottom will improve the air flow around the roots.

found while looking for something else:

http://members.cox.net/lmlauman/osp/...otting1_5.html

[jerrymeola]

Green moss is probably the same as Canadian sheet moss and is no good for potting. It is probably dead moss that turns to a live looking green when wet. As mentioned, it is decorative for tops of plants and not especially good for orchids. It is used often at orchid shows for decorating a display but removed after the show.

Wild spanish moss is a living moss and dies easy. It is an almost guarantee way to kill an orchids. it needs to be fumigated before use even as decoration.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You could use this in a pinch for Sphag & Bag, but not much else. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[Willc73]

I know which Green moss he bought. Home Depot carries Uni Gro. They have Green Moss and Spanish moss in bags.
I live in the Los Angeles area, no matter where I go, I can't seem to find Sphagnum moss. Everyone hands me Green moss by Uni Gro. I even go to Tropical specialists. I will have to order my sphagnum moss. Maybe it is the same, I don't know. However it is not Spanish moss, they have a seperate bag for that.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If you ever get out to Riverside: http://www.calwesttropical.com/
, but they are closed on Friday, they close for lunch, and seem to close early some days. Good luck. Normans Orchids carries it, but at twice the price. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[missann]

no they are not the same, but your question has already been answered. LIVE sphagnum moss is like a miracle worker for your sick/ailing orchids, or so I have read. It is hard to find, but I got some today, so if I have some left over, and you want to trade or buy some off me, I would be ok with that.

[missann]

Oh I also forgot-SPHANUM CAN MAKE YOU SICK. It harbors some kind of fungus in it, so wear gloves and a respirator if you are working with the dried stuff.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by missann

Oh I also forgot-SPHANUM CAN MAKE YOU SICK. It harbors some kind of fungus in it, so wear gloves and a respirator if you are working with the dried stuff.

Thank you for mentioning this. I've been very, very sick lately and I'm immune-compromised due to advanced kidney disease ... thought I was just under the weather or whinier than usual, but since I've been repotting a lot of plants in moss (I knew I was allergic to it!) it may be more than just my imagination!

Sporotrichosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[missann]

Actually it is more than an allergic reaction.. it is called SPOROTRICHOSIS. Here is a link about it:
The Carnivorous Plant FAQ: What is Silicosis or Sporotrichosis?

[solay]

I didn't know that. I bought 3 large cubes of dried Spagh. and didn't know it was harmful. Although so far no reaction to it.

Orchidmentia, sorry to hear about the renal problem. My mother was a long time diabetic and recently had a kidney and panacea transplant. Was on dialysis for a while too. Take care of your health and I guess you'll need some protection for handling the moss. PM me if you have any questions. I've been through it all with the medical bills, Medicare, state disability, insurance, COBRA, and on and on.

[Orchidementia]

I should have been a tad more specific - I've been repotting plants OUT of moss into bark since I know the moss makes me sneeze. The old moss goes into the trash. I ave a few plants that have been left in their original moss for a few months - no obvious root problems and they're blooming - but they're getting new homes this week, too. It's highly unlikely I'm having anything other than an allergic reaction, but I better not take chances Last infection I had required a PICC line and IV antibiotics, an experience I'd rather skip!

[kid a]

OMG! They don't even put a warning on those packages or anything, I guess cuz it's not that common, but still I had no idea!

[norris]

Those two articles were scary, especially those pics

[solay]

Yeah, I don't like those pics. Might get a nightmare. I've been using dried Spagh. moss and now don't know if I should continue. That's kinda scary.