Sphagnum moss is the actual moss harvested from the peat bogs.It’s used more as a soil amendment as it’s essentially a nutrient-rich compost. Peat moss is the decaying organic matter from the bed of the peat bogs.It plays a big part in their ecosystems, holding onto moisture, slowing decay, and providing nutrients to the local flora. Now, peat bogs are typically full of sphagnum moss. Peat bogs are natural areas of wetlands that are characteristically high in peat (and form the basis of producing it). The term “peat” refers to a material that – much like coal – has been created through the compression of plant material over centuries. To understand the distinction we first need to understand the source. The thing is, it’s all from the same type of source anyway – peat bogs. There’s well over 300 species, but because they’re so similar you’ll still see everything sold under the umbrella label of “sphagnum moss.” Asides from the source/location, I’ve never seen anyone selling specific species of Sphagnum. Technically though, Sphagnum is actually a genus of plants – and a large one at that. Thanks to its many positive qualities, it’s commonly used to grow or mount plants of all kinds, and has made itself an essential part of terrarium substrates. In this article, I'll answer the top 10 questions about sphagnum, listing the pros and cons of its use in potting media.In the horticultural world, sphagnum moss is more of a material/tool than a plant. Talking about the different qualities of moss on the market,Īnd in the end, the benefits for your orchid (which is the most important part, right?) To understand sphagnum moss for orchids, which I've used in every single orchid design so far, let’s take a moss tour:

This isn’t everything sphagnum moss does. All these promote a healthier orchid life. Why use sphagnum moss to repot your orchid? Sphagnum allows air to circulate freely around the roots of the orchid its moisture-absorbing qualities ensure proper irrigation and it binds ammonium, slowing down the decomposition caused by microorganisms. Can you use sphagnum for every type of orchid? To the contrary of most things about orchids, where the typical answer is, “it depends,” you can use sphagnum moss in every type of orchid media. When repotting, sphagnum moss for orchids is essential in your medium.

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