Sph. Moss find!!

[steam fire and ice]

I'm stoked because today I found bricks (best way I can describe the shape) of moss at a store I didnt even figure would have any. Its all written in Japanese but I know what its for, and it has a huge picture of an orchid on it. Im even more stoked because it only cost 100 yen. (about 1.20 US dollars) Im loving the deals here sometimes. My question is, is there anything I need to do to the moss before I use it?

[VEEKTOR]

I too was very happy when I found a good source of this great stuff!
My Chids LoVe it!
The moss I buy comes from New Zealand - and is very clean. Although sometimes I do find and pull out a few twigs. Other than that just wet it and wring it out till it is about like a damp sponge. Not too wet! I pack my pots pretty tight and my roots are going crazy in it! Good luck!

[Ladyofthelakes]

Does moss have some kind of a nutrient in it that makes roots develop faster. I started topping off some of my seedlings that have done little growing(my fault for sure)

Or is it the moisture it provides?

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by VEEKTOR

I too was very happy when I found a good source of this great stuff!
My Chids LoVe it!
The moss I buy comes from New Zealand - and is very clean. Although sometimes I do find and pull out a few twigs. Other than that just wet it and wring it out till it is about like a damp sponge. Not too wet! I pack my pots pretty tight and my roots are going crazy in it! Good luck!

Hi VEEKTOR,
Where are you finding new Zealand Sphag? I'm having a hard time finding even the decent premium sphag lately at the nursery they are always out the past few weeks. I may have to order on line soon.
Emmaye

[VEEKTOR]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Hi VEEKTOR,
Where are you finding new Zealand Sphag? I'm having a hard time finding even the decent premium sphag lately at the nursery they are always out the past few weeks. I may have to order on line soon.
Emmaye

I was exasperated looking on the web for New Zealand Sphagnum Moss.
I wanted somewhere I could drive to and pick it up.
My Girlfriend actually found Calwest Tropical Supply, its about 55 miles from me
and I have driven there 3 times already.
They also have transparent plastic slotted pots at about half the cost of where I have ordered them from before.
To ship the 1KG brick of moss I buy would cost about 7 bucks to ship, plus 3 dollar packing fee...
Love the stuff! So clean, long beautiful stands of moss.
So there ya go...

[nightqueen049]

Originally Posted by Ladyofthelakes

Does moss have some kind of a nutrient in it that makes roots develop faster. I started topping off some of my seedlings that have done little growing(my fault for sure)

Or is it the moisture it provides?

As far as I know of, sphagnum moss does not have a special kind of nutrient in it. However, it has antibiotic properties that keep seedlings healthier than those without the protection of the moss. And the moss maintains a better level of humidity, which can make a big difference in the growth of the plant, especially if it's an indoor plant (heating/airconditioning can really sap the humidity from a room and slow down plant growth).

[katrina]

Originally Posted by nightqueen049

As far as I know of, sphagnum moss does not have a special kind of nutrient in it. However, it has antibiotic properties that keep seedlings healthier than those without the protection of the moss. And the moss maintains a better level of humidity, which can make a big difference in the growth of the plant, especially if it's an indoor plant (heating/airconditioning can really sap the humidity from a room and slow down plant growth).

A long time ago I read an article on the antibiotic properties but I think it was geared toward terrestrial plants not orchids. Anyway...that activity is only viable w/live sphag. Once the sphag has been dried that antibiotic/antiseptic property is gone.

[nightqueen049]

Good to know. I'll have to get a hold of some of the live stuff, then.

[Phalcycle]

for the compressed moss, i soak the moss in a bucket of water with a little SuperThrive. I estimate it'd be around 4hrs or so, until I work with the moss, and pot orchids up