Sphagnum Moss - Miracle Moss

Will_Heath

In the civil war they used sphagnum moss to dress wounds.

I have heard that chopped sphagnum moss makes a great soil additive for freshly potted bonsai as it encourages root growth. Some people pot newly collected bonsai in 100% sphagnum moss. Laid on top of the soil of a freshly collected bonsai it helps roots form towards the surface. Wrapping trunks in it encourages an aged appearance. It is great for air layering...

On my last visit up north while marking a few larches for future collection I noticed that in that section of mostly cedar swamp there was a thick covering of sphagnum moss. Looks like I have found a good supply of this wonder moss!

I was wondering if sphagnum moss varies from locale to locale. I was also curious to any other uses that sphagnum moss has in relation to bonsai and if anyone has ever tried the technique of potting newly collected stock in 100% sphagnum moss?

Will

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John Dixon

Will,

My understanding is that Michigan sphagnum moss differs a little. I know that it is a long-fibered type and favored for making a "muck" application for slabs. Randy Clark makes what he calls "Super-muck" and he specifically includes a Michigan type of peat/sphagnum moss. Apparently it works better than the standard fare. Obviously there must be some differences in sphagnum.

As far as potting anything in it exclusively, I can only say I used a LOT of it with just a little standard soil mix to save a deshojo maple that had been under-watered while I was away on vacation, in summer. A complete defoliation of the leaves (mostly crispy) and the sphagnum moss mixture soaked in a Superthrive solution did indeed SAVE the tree. I can't say for certain the moss did the trick, but I had read about the technique previously and I have to think it does have merit. I believe the constant moisture level along with less compaction of soil allows more air to circulate around the roots, and those two attributes combined help the roots, and thereby the tree, thrive. I don't know if it can be a permanent situation though.

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

Bart Thomas(deceased)

I think a caution is needed here.

Although the big bags of peat moss you buy in the garden centers are often marked to the effect "spagnum moss", these are NOT the type you want to use for bonsai.

What you want is the stringy stuff usually sold in smaller packages. You often see orchids planted in it. It is usually "blonde" in color. I have never seen the word "peat" on the package.

Will_Heath

Good point Bart, however this stuff isn't labeled yet, I've been collecting it from the wild. This stuff is green and dries plae yellow/brown, I have been putting it in clear plastic bags, keeping it moist and in a shady area...it lives for a long time!

Bart Thomas(deceased)

Will:

I was aware that you were collecting from the wild. I put that caution in for those who might think they already had what they needed in their garden shed.

I don't know if you want it growing when you use it in a soil mix.

Also, I recall some talk about an infection you can get from working with this moss, along with recommendations to wear gloves. Don't know if this appleies to the living stuff.

tuckerg

potted collected junipers in the stuff.the trees havent looked back since.from personnel trials,im 100per cent behind it.

Will_Heath

Oh yeah, I remember reading that somewhere...thanks. Isn't it strange that they used to use it to treat wounds but now there's a infection risk?

John Dixon

Will,

Are you planning to sell this stuff, or just bag it for your own use? It sure would be nice to find a supplier who offers more than just the kind in Home Depot/Lowes and such. Once again, I believe that Michigan sphagnum is a little different (fibers?) than the small bags I can find locally.

Didn't they used to treat the sphagnum moss with mustard root for the wound dressing in years past? I think this treatment was still being used in WW I. Maybe the mustard root had some kind of sterilizing property for the "infection", but I'm guessing.

John

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

Adam_MA

I know that I was cautioned to wear gloves, and a dust mask when working with it. Something about the spores I think would make wounds on your hands not heal, and I do remember reading about someone who actually died from inhaling the dust. Maybe the caution is more for the dried variety?

Adam