Sphagnum Moss - Miracle Moss

AncientLegend

As important as wearing gloves, a dust mask is essential when handling this moss. A friend of mine (florist in Columbus, OH) also got a lung infection from the stuff. She fortunately survived but has some nasty chest scars from the exploratory surgery.

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rockm

Joakimlinden,

You're not looking very hard,

http://www.sweden.org/Health/Condit...iseases/Fungal/

For what it's worth, this Swedish link references the CDC article.

rockm

Joakimlinden:

Here's a link to a University of Iowa study that looks at genetic relationships between this fungus and others, including a very closely related fungus that originated in Norway. Juding from the list of fungi here, this one appears in many forms across the globe. I would wear gloves and avoid inhaling the dust --even in Sweden...

rockm

Will_Heath

Okay, okay, the stuff can be dangerous and so can pine seedlings in the same way. The question seems to be if it is worth the risk. I for one will not stop handling pine seedlings nor this wonderful moss, all information on it's properties for root development on injured or collected bonsai seems to be favorable.

Will

rockm

I don't think anyone said stop using it. Just be careful with it, just like you're supposed to be careful in breathing the dust when you're making bonsai soil. Gloves, mask. There's risk and there's avoidable risk...

joakimlinden

Perhaps I'm not such a good googlar as I thought : ) But I question that www.sweden.org actually has anything to do with sweden. It seems to be an english/US portal of some kind... Not sure why someone would reg. a domain called that if it had nothing to do with sweden though. Stranger things have happened I guess.

EDIT: I does have swedish links upon closer inspection. I guess I should be more careful when collecting the stuff next time : ) Thanks for the heads up.

__________________
Best regards, Joakim

Will_Heath

Good point Rockm and excellent advice!

Emperor Fish

And there is perceived risk also, which is usually entirely incorrect.

Regards,

Fish.

PS Don't handle moss. Do get in your car.

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