Question??

[grandmapenguin]

I hope this doesn't sound too dumb a question but I am looking at Spanish Moss in my trees here in Florida. Is this Sphagnum
Can it be harvested like Spag and if so would it have to be treated to kill any bad guys in there? Please don't think of me as dumb but I'm a northerner and find this intriguing.
Terry

[lissie0113]

wow! i actually almost posted this same question this morning..... there is so much spanish moss around my neighborhood.... and it would be so pretty on orchids i thought! but then i thought about the possible critters.... i am glad you asked. i cant wait for the answer!

[Danelady]

I don't think Spanish Moss would work like Sphagnum. I read some where that Spanish Moss is actually a bromeliad. It won't retain moisture like Sphagnum does.

[lissie0113]

yeah maybe you're right, i know it is some sort of epiphyte.... so maybe it won't retain moisture.... but i have seen it for sale at home depot near the sphag and orchid stuff. maybe its purely decorative?

[grandmapenguin]

I did some reading on Google and they say we can use it as a mulch around plant
I guess I should have Googled first. as decoration; but we must Nuke it to kill any critters. It doesn't recommend it like Sphag for water retention.

[Danelady]

It does look pretty covering the dirt in regular indoor plants. I think that's the main thing it's sold for in garden stores.
I double checked and it is a bromeliad. An epiphyte type. Check Wikipedia!!

[lmartiny]

Spanish moss can be used for decorative uses. It is nothing like spag but I guess could hold moisture if packed in tightly. I has chiggers and what nots in it in regard to critters. Being a Florida girl, with many trees, I simply find it a nuisance.

[articuno75]

Terry~ it's good for the decorative purposes as everyone said, but I have found two good things that Spanish moss is good for.

Neofinetias. I have found this as a good alternative to NZ spagh. Reason is that in the center of the mounts the roots would rot. This stuff does not cause this problem thus far and it provides the excellent aeration without the suffocation and breakdown that NZ spagh does with time.

Vandas: You can drape this stuff around the roots of the Vandas and it will create a little "humidity" blanket, just enough and just long enough for the roots to keep moist and then it dries out. Mist it down and it retains just a wee bit longer. I was lucky to get a bag full of the fresh stuff that came from Florida.

It didn't have the chiggars, so I don't know if it was treated or not.

Just snatch a big box full, treat it with Brookn's and share the wealth. LoL

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by grandmapenguin

I hope this doesn't sound too dumb a question but I am looking at Spanish Moss in my trees here in Florida. Is this Sphagnum

Not a stupid question at all, in fact it is asked from time to time here on the forum in one way or another. Spanish moss and Sphagnum are not the same creature. As Danelady said, spanish moss is a bromeliad. I believe Sphagnum moss is a true moss, someone can please correct me if i am wrong.

They do not act the same when chopped up and put into mix and I often hear complaings about Spanish moss being infested wiht bugs, etc. though I have never used it myself.

[PhalPal]

It is beautiful but fullfullfull of chiggers and mites!!! I found it intriguing also and only handled it once - that was enough for me. Now I let the pros decontaminate before I play with it.

[lissie0113]

i dont know if this is true or not..... but spanish moss is the source of the phrase "bed bugs". they used it to stuff mattresses when ponce de leon and the rest landed in florida long ago, and the chiggers and mites used to burrow through and bite the people.... thus the phrase. just for trivia purposes..... ;o)

[Wendy]

A friend of mine grows Spanish moss in his greenhouse, here in Ontario, and uses it on Vandas for decoration and moisture/humidity retention. It doesn't go in the pot as medium but is draped over mounts etc. Being as he grows it in a controlled environment, he doesn't have the critter collection living in it. He has had it produce flowers as well...tiny but very cute!

[Wendy]

PS... Your question is not stupid. The only stupid question is the one never asked.