Spanish Moss?

[zonepusher]

Can the above be used as an alternative for long strand spag? It seems that if it can, it would be a good use for the unsightly stuff hanging from the trees.

Call me cheap, but I am always looking for very inexpensive alternatives for EVERYTHING.
Andi

[Fabolusus]

I heard somewhere that wild spanish moss carries tiny biting insects called chiggers.

I've heard that it breaks down much faster than NZ moss.

[tom499]

its used on vandas and similiar plants that grow in baskets, as you can drape it down over the roots to boost humidity. I wouldnt use it on its own for other plants though.

[zonepusher]

Thanks for the replies. I do have a few vandas that I am having a hard time keeping watered. It seems that I almost need to water every few hours as they dry so fast.
Andi

[kmarch]

Spanish Moss isn't even moss, it's a member of the bromeliad family. It doesn't posess the qualities that make sphagnum moss desirable as a potting or mounting medium either.

Cynthia (one of the forum moderators) has good success growing Vandas in pots. Hit her up for some advice. She's quite helpful.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I think the secret to growing in pots is to use small pots so the Vanda can empty the pot of moisture fairly rapidly. I also think that having what ever mix that is used in the pot fairly well packed into the pot so that the moisture can wick thru the pot. I am currently using a mixture of 2 parts small perlite to 1 part
canadian peat with a little oyster shell added to control PH, but the stuff is well packed into the pot so that the mix at the top of the pot is pretty much of the same wetness as the mix deep inside the pot, and if there is any moisture in the pot, the Vanda can access it. I took some pictures of one of my Vanda's roots so people could get an idea of how potted Vandas do.
More pictures and larger ones: http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/potted_vandas

[zonepusher]

Are you using a plain oyster shell or is this a powdered variety? Can lime be used to lower the pH of the peat?

[jerrymeola]

You should never used Spanish moss as it is alive and dies easily causing rot as well as possible insect infection.

Also try Worm Tea to soak Vanda roots, it retains about 35% more water in the roots and has been great for Vanda's.