Sphagnum - the structure and properties of moss, varieties, use for medicinal purposes and for indoor plants. Essential sphagnum moss

moss sphagnum, as a component of soil mixtures for indoor flowers, is well known and widely used experienced flower growers. For beginner gardeners, sphagnum is a mysterious ingredient, and therefore optional. This is partly true if you do not make earthen mixtures yourself, but use ready-made ones. There is often sphagnum moss already present. But is it really necessary? And is it possible to do without sphagnum? In order to answer these questions, you need to understand.

What is sphagnum moss and what are its properties

This is swamp moss, and can be found in old raised bogs in almost all regions with a temperate and cool climate. Although in middle lane You have to try very hard to find such a swamp. It is quite easy to distinguish sphagnum from other mosses - it is white. Although this is not entirely true, White color it acquires in a dried state, while the sphagnum moss growing in the swamp has a light green color, which also makes it easily distinguishable from other rich green mosses. AT northern regions such swamps (white bogs) are found everywhere and it is there that sphagnum moss is mined industrially. What for? The fact is that sphagnum moss, in addition to excellent hygroscopic properties, also has other, no less remarkable properties. It is used in construction as thermal insulation, in medicine as a plant with excellent bactericidal properties. There was a use of sphagnum in perfumery. And this is not all areas of its application.

The use of sphagnum in floriculture

Whole complex unique properties flower growers appreciated this moss.

First of all - hygroscopicity. It is difficult to find equal to sphagnum moss in terms of ability to accumulate moisture. After all, even in comparison with cotton (cotton wool), it surpasses it by 20 (!) Times. Therefore, if you add it to the earth mixture, it will remain moist for much longer. In this case, there will be no danger of waterlogging, since, having accumulated a large number of moisture, sphagnum moss gives it evenly, as the earth dries up. To keep the moisture of the earth in a flower pot, you can not only add moss to the ground, but simply spread it on the surface of the earth. This, among other things, will also help.

By adding sphagnum moss to the soil mixture, you will not only increase its moisture capacity, but also protect the roots of the plant from decay and fungal diseases. Its antiseptic properties simply will not allow them to develop. It has been observed that plants whose roots were injured during transplantation recover much faster and easier in soil containing sphagnum moss.

For many indoor plants this moss is not only an antiseptic or a moisture accumulator, but also a regulator (pH). Added to the soil in sufficient quantities, sphagnum moss will make it more acidic, which will appeal to violets, and many other houseplants. Sphagnum is also an integral part.

In addition to all of the above, chopped sphagnum is an excellent material for and.

Harvesting and storage of sphagnum

If in your area there is a suitable swamp on which this moss grows, then be sure to prepare it, you will not regret it. This is very easy to do and no special tools are required. All its parts are used, so you do not need to limit yourself to plucking the tops, take it completely. Before drying the sphagnum, squeeze it thoroughly from moisture and, if possible, clean it of unnecessary debris (leaves of trees, needles, twigs, etc.). You can go further in two ways. If you need "live" sphagnum moss, then it can be frozen in a freezer (or freezer). It tolerates freezing very well and comes to life after defrosting. But much more often dried moss is enough for our purposes. To dry sphagnum, it is absolutely not necessary to create special conditions, just spread it out in the sun. Such drying will not affect its properties in any way. Sphagnum moss dries for a long time, but it is not necessary to dry it completely. It all depends on the purpose for which you prepare it. If it will be used as a humidifier, then you can not bring it to a state of brittleness. If you plan to simply add moss to the earth mixture, then you can grind it first. So the sphagnum moss will dry out faster, and it will be easier to use it. Given the high hygroscopicity of sphagnum, it is desirable to store it in a dry place and in good packaging.

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Hello dear reader!

I hope that past articles about mosses have already convinced you that mosses are by no means ordinary, unremarkable inhabitants of the forest, deserving a certain amount of neglect. On the contrary, they are very interesting and important inhabitants. But even among them, sphagnum moss stands out with a whole bunch of truly remarkable properties.

Why is sphagnum so remarkable? Its value in nature is enormous. After all, it is moss that creates swamps. That's right - not just swamp dweller , a creating them! From sphagnum, the reserves of such valuable natural wealth as peat are also formed to a very large extent.

Moss sphagnum, due to its characteristics, has now found wide application in medicine. And its use in medicinal purposes only increases.

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Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum) is a perennial that has another name - peat moss. Moss grows in swampy areas, forms vast areas - sphagnum bogs. In Russia and Ukraine, there are about 40 species of sphagnum, while more than 300 are known in the world. Habitat - tundra, forest or mountainous areas, much less common on the plains. The plant has underdeveloped roots, so over time they die off and turn into peat. The upper part continues to grow and develop. When dried, sphagnum can absorb a lot of moisture - 20 times its own weight. It is thanks to this opportunity that he got his name (“sphagnos” in translation from Greek means "sponge"). The plant has a light green (light green) hue, when dry it becomes almost white. Hence another name - white moss.

Glade of sphagnum moss in a forest area.

Sphagnum moss is often used by flower growers. It is used as a component for the soil, as well as in independent form for rooting cuttings or planting epiphytic plants, such as orchids. Three main properties of the plant should be distinguished:

perfectly absorbs water;
passes oxygen;
unaffected by bacteria.

Hygroscopicity is due to the structure of the plant. The stems and leaves of sphagnum consist of hollow cells, a kind of reservoirs into which water is absorbed. The hygroscopicity of sphagnum is 6 times higher than that of cotton wool. In addition, moisture is evenly distributed in it. This suggests that the use of moss in the composition planting soil will maintain a constant and uniform level of humidity.

A pot of gardenia in sphagnum.

Breathability is achieved thanks to the same cells-reservoirs. Soil mixtures containing sphagnum are light and loose, which has a beneficial effect on the health of the plant's root system.

Scientists working in the field of briology (the science that studies mosses) have proven that sphagnum moss is completely immune to disease. It has disinfectant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sphagnum contains antibiotics, bactericides and coumarins. All these substances are natural antiseptics, they are used in the medical industry. And the use in floriculture allows you to forget about the decay of cuttings during reproduction.

Another important property of sphagnum for indoor plants is the ability to acidify the soil - this prevents the reproduction of various kinds of bacteria. For some flowers, such as violets, this feature is indispensable. After all, it is in acidic soil that they bloom more abundantly and longer.

Application in crop production

As mentioned above, the properties of moss are indispensable in floriculture. It can and should be used for breeding:

violets and gloxinia;
royal and ordinary begonias;
orchids and monster;
dracaena and dieffenbachia;
fat women and cordilins.

In general, this list can include all indoor flowers that prefer high humidity. Sphagnum moss is indispensable for those who are often on the road, and there is no one to entrust watering flowers to. Moss will do the job perfectly, you just need to wet it and overlay the plant. So ground long time will be wet.

Violet overlaid with sphagnum to retain moisture.

Dried sphagnum is used by gardeners on summer cottages. They cover plants that do not tolerate frost. Because not all garden flowers need acidic soil, moss is harvested in spring, leaving only where it will really be useful. For example, in areas with asters, chrysanthemums or tulips. Some vegetable crops, such as potatoes, carrots and radishes, also love acidified soil.

Collection and storage

Harvesting of sphagnum moss falls on the period from April to October. But even here there are nuances. For example, collection in early spring may be complicated by the presence melt water in those areas where moss grows, in July - by blood-sucking insects. Rainy October can also derail all plans. So best time, according to experts, is August or September. Especially if the weather is right - dry and warm.

Moss is collected in two ways:

is extracted completely, even the root - get large quantity, but be prepared to spend time on a thorough cleaning;
top part cut with a knife - the mass is less, but the moss is cleaner.

In the campaign for sphagnum, rubber boots, gloves and plastic bags are required. Just in case, you can take a bactericidal patch with you, since cuts on your hands are not ruled out when working with a knife.

Freshly harvested sphagnum without roots.

If you need live moss, it is better to spread it in the shade, spreading it evenly over the surface. Let the wind dry the sphagnum a little - it should be damp, but not wet! To all beneficial features preserved, you need to store moss in plastic bags in a cold room, you can even in the cold. When needed, it is brought into a warm room, and it comes to life.

Sphagnum moss also grows at home. To grow it yourself, you need to cut off the green part and place it in a tray with wet peat. Be sure to water daily.

The use of sphagnum in other industries

As mentioned above, the properties of moss allow it to be used for medicinal purposes. During the Great Patriotic War it was used instead of cotton wool, applied to wounds and burns. He not only stopped the blood and pulled out the pus, but also promoted healing.

Dried moss is also successfully used in construction. wooden buildings. It is used as a pillow for logs. This makes it possible to keep the heat in the room and get rid of pests that often "occupy" the wood.

Dry sphagnum for warming log buildings.

Beekeepers make hive insulation from pressed dry sphagnum. And the bottom is lined with live moss for disinfection. In animal husbandry, sphagnum moss has also found application. It is used as bedding for small rodents or as litter for the toilet.

To save yourself from the hassle associated with collecting, you can purchase it in specialized stores or order it online. The cost will depend on the weight of the item. So, a 70 gram bag of sphagnum will cost you 80 - 100 rubles. Bulk bags of 50 - 100 liters cost from 1000 to 2500 rubles. Suppliers usually give good discounts to wholesale buyers.

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Olga Aleinikova 03/24/2014 | 16985

Sphagnum moss is known to flower growers for being an ideal assistant in rooting cuttings. Actually, this is unique plant with incredible features.

Although sphagnum is often referred to as "white moss", in reality it is not. In relatively dry areas of raised bogs, rusty-brown, red or pink and even purple-red specimens can be found. It depends on the type of moss. In more humid places, light green or slightly brownish species usually live.

What is sphagnum?

Sphagnum is a perennial spore plant. It has no roots. Each unit is a thin, constantly branching stalk, the lower part of which gradually dies off. The branches and stem are covered with small scaly leaves arranged in a spiral. Leaves are made up of two types of cells. Some of them are small, narrow-tubular, green, with a solid shell. They carry out photosynthesis.

Others are much larger, hollow and colorless. Such cells are called hyaline. They have pores through which, in dry weather, air penetrates into them, making the color of the plant very light, almost white. During wet periods, water is sucked in through the same pores. It is believed that sphagnum mosses are capable of absorbing about 20 times their own weight in water! Hence and Greek name moss "sphagnos" - a sponge.

How to use?

It is this property of sphagnum that first of all attracts the attention of flower growers. Chopped moss added to the substrate not only loosens the soil, gives it the necessary structure, but also increases its moisture capacity. He takes away excess water immediately after watering, and then gives it to the roots as needed. But it must be borne in mind that the addition of sphagnum to the soil significantly increases its acidity. Therefore, moss should not be taken more than 10% of the total volume of the mixture.

With the help of sphagnum, you can maintain high humidity around the crown of the plant. To do this, it is enough to put moss around the pot and moisten it periodically. But it is not necessary to constantly keep it on the surface of the soil. This can lead to waterlogging and root death. As an exception, this technique can be used when leaving on vacation for 7-8 days.

Antiseptic properties

Next important property sphagnum is that it contains antiseptics. First of all, this sphagnol- a substance with an anti-inflammatory effect. Thanks to this, as well as the ability to acidify everything around it, sphagnum creates an environment in the swamps in which dead plants remain for centuries without rotting.

This quality of moss is also important for flower growers. The bactericidal properties and antiseptic effect of sphagnum can significantly increase the likelihood of rooting of many plants. Only succulents cannot be rooted in it. Excellent results gives the use of sphagnum when propagated by the method air layers. When transplanting a rooted cutting into the soil, it is useful to leave some moss on the roots in which they grew.

moss harvesting

You can harvest sphagnum moss at any time of the year, but most often it is done in the fall, which makes it possible to keep it alive (by freezing) until the beginning of spring flower growing, when there is usually no access to swamps. Moss is easily removed, but it is better to take only the upper parts of the stems, cutting them off with scissors. No need to be greedy. Remember that one liter plastic bag tightly stuffed with moss is enough to prepare at least 10 liters of planting mix. The collected sphagnum (to reduce weight) is carefully squeezed.

Moss brought from the forest should be poured for 30 minutes with very warm, but not hotter than 45 ° C, water. This will not only saturate it with moisture, but also get rid of insects.

Keep the moss cool in unsealed plastic bags, allowing it to breathe. In winter, it's just cold.

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Sphagnum moss, or sphagnum, is a genus of marsh mosses, the main source of formation of high-moor peat, a perennial spore plant. It belongs to the Sphagnaceae family and is its only modern genus. Peat moss grows in damp places and contributes to the waterlogging of the area, because it has the ability to accumulate and retain water. In the territory Russian Federation 42 species of this plant are common, more than three hundred of them are known.

The article provides a description of sphagnum mosses. Their structure and life cycle will be described. In addition, it will talk about how people used to use sphagnum moss.

Structure and description

Where does sphagnum moss grow? It grows, as mentioned above, in swamps, next to plants such as wild rosemary, cranberries, blueberries. On its stems you can see three different types branches. Twigs growing in a horizontal direction help the moss to grow vertically due to the interweaving with neighboring shoots. The drooping branches absorb and conduct water to the very top of the plant. What is surprising about the sphagnum moss plant? The accumulated moisture can be 20-25 times the weight of the plant itself!

The apical cells are responsible for the growth of sphagnum. They grow, forming a semblance of a hat. Rhizoids (thin threads with which mosses are attached to the soil, a kind of analogue of roots) are absent in the plant. It does not need them, since, unlike, for example, cuckoo moss, absorbs water not by rhizoids, but by its entire surface.

Due to the insufficient amount of oxygen in the swampy area and the presence of a substance such as carbolic acid, which is a natural antiseptic, in the body of sphagnum, the plant practically does not rot. Its upper part grows by about 1-3 cm per year, while the lower (underwater) part dies off annually. Dry sphagnum moss, after death, turns into peat. The formation of this mineral in swamps occurs at 1-2 mm per year.

plant leaves

small leaves sphagnum moss - single layer. They contain two types of cells: chlorophyll-bearing, living, and hyaline, dead. Hyaline - large, have a rhomboid shape, contain spiral or ring-shaped hyaline formations inside. It is a hygroscopic substance, and thanks to these structures, dead sphagnum cells are able to absorb and accumulate water in themselves. Aquifer cells make up 2/3 of the leaf surface. Around each of them there are 4-6 living, chlorophyll-bearing plants that perform the traditional function of photosynthesis for plants. The tops of sphagnum can have a different color, from green to reddish or brown, and look very picturesque. Experts attribute the differences in coloration to weather conditions.

If you look at the sphagnum thickets from the side, you can clearly see three distinct zones. Upper - lively, green (yellowish, brownish), up to five centimeters thick. Medium, yellowish-brown, five to ten centimeters wide, is a transition from living cells to hyaline. Chlorophyll-bearing cells are still present in it. Even lower, the sphagnum consists of dying cells and has a light brown color (usually below water level). These are the features of the structure of sphagnum mosses.

Life cycle and reproduction

AT life cycle In all bryophytes, the haploid gametophyte predominates over the diploid sporophyte, and sphagnum is no exception. The gametophyte is the sexual generation, and the sporophyte is the asexual generation.

Male sex cells, biflagellated spermatozoa, mature in antheridia. These are single-layer formations resembling bags. Female germ cells, respectively, mature in the female reproductive organs - archegonia, located on the female gametophytes in the upper internodes. These are bottle-shaped structures, in the widest part of which eggs are contained. Antheridia and archegonia always grow on different shoots,

Sphagnum requires water for fertilization. In the case of its presence, spermatozoa enter the archegonium. A sporophyte develops from a fertilized cell (zygote). Its components are a box with a developing sporangium, located on a stalk, and a haustorium, which provides communication with the gametophyte and is a nutrition organ. In sporangia, haploid spores are formed by reduction division. By the time of their maturation, the stem lengthens and the sporophyte is carried up above the leaves. The box is destroyed, the spores get out and disperse over the surface of the soil. As the results of the experiment showed, sphagnum spores are able to remain viable after 10-13 years!

From the spore after germination, a short lamellar protonema (presprout) is formed. Rhizoids appear on it (as mentioned above, they are absent in an adult plant) and buds that develop into shoots with leaves. Initially, there is no division of cells into chlorophyll-containing and aquifers, this difference appears later.

Types of sphagnum mosses

As mentioned above, scientists have not come to a consensus regarding the number of sphagnum species. According to some data, there are about 350 of them, according to others - 320, 382. All species are included in the genus Sphagnum, which, in turn, is the only one in the Sphagnum family. This family is also the only one that is included in the Sphagnum order of the same name (Sphagnales). Its representatives noticeably differ in their morphological, anatomical and biological characteristics from leafy mosses.

The type species is Swamp Sphagnum, which is found everywhere in Russia. Other known species- Sphagnum Ongstrom, common in Northern Europe, Japan, Korea, on Far East Russia and Siberia; Sphagnum hairy, growing on the American continent and Ukraine; Magellanic Sphagnum with an extremely wide distribution area (does not grow only in Antarctica).

The use of sphagnum in floriculture and crop production

The use of sphagnum moss is varied. It has a long history. Some methods, thanks to the development of science, have faded into the background, while others are still relevant. Among the latter is the use of peat moss in floriculture. EU countries, Japan and the USA annually import large volumes of sphagnum moss for growing orchids. In it, young plants do not rot and develop well, after which they are eventually transplanted into a special substrate from pieces of pine or coconut bark. Sphagnum at home can be used to root not only orchids, but also any flower cuttings.

Experienced flower growers advise using a soil mixture with chopped sphagnum to heal diseased plants with rotting tubers or roots that have been damaged by pests. Thanks to the natural antiseptics contained in it, sphagnum moss heals the soil and helps heal damage to the underground parts of indoor flowers. Chopped moss can simply be added to the soil mixture - it promotes loosening, regulates moisture and disinfects the soil.

If you are going to leave home for a while, moss soaked with water can be put in flower pots This will allow the flowers not to dry out, because the sphagnum will give moisture to the soil.

It must be remembered that in any case, the moss should be treated before use: scald with boiling water (better - pour for 2-3 minutes), cool, squeeze. Some flower growers advise after that to shed it with liquid fertilizer (for example, Kemira Lux) and soak for two or three days in a plastic bag. Pressed and dried moss can be stored for a long time, using as needed.

Mixtures for flowers based on sphagnum moss

Sphagnum moss is an excellent raw material for soil mixtures. So, thanks to the substances contained in it, it contributes to the formation of an acidic environment, which is especially important for Gesneriaceae. For orchids and other epiphytes, it represents an ideal substrate in itself. You can finely chop it first. sharp knife or pass through a sieve.

For growing saintpaulias

Chopped sphagnum, river sand, fertile garden soil, leafy soil - take in equal parts.

For gloxinia

A bag of Vermion earth, a handful of chopped sphagnum, 1 tsp each. charcoal and fertilizer for flowers, 0.5 tsp. dolomite flour.

For cattleyas and orchids

Mix equal parts pine bark and charcoal, add a little chopped fern or sphagnum roots. The largest pieces of bark are placed at the bottom, the middle ones are placed above, etc.

How to prepare moss for future use for flowers

A small amount of sphagnum moss can be refrigerated or even frozen. According to experts, flowers grow and develop better in living moss. To do this, it is necessary to withstand the sphagnum for about half an hour in water with a temperature of +45 degrees, then transfer to plastic bags and store in a cool place. so it can be stored for 2-3 months, and frozen - even longer. Freezing will not affect the properties of the moss in any way.

Application in medicine: historical facts

How did people use sphagnum moss in the past, apart from the methods described above? Before the advent of modern dressings, it was indispensable in medicine. The sphagnol contained in it - an antiseptic substance - contributed to disinfection and, as a result, the rapid healing of wounds. In addition to sphagnol, scientists isolated 6 phenolic acids and 6 coumarins from plant materials, which have bactericidal and antifungal properties. They have a depressing effect on staphylococcus and streptococcus, vibrio cholerae, E. coli, salmonella ... According to scientists, it is difficult to determine which pathogens sphagnum moss is powerless against. One of them is the causative agent of leprosy, but this disease is quite rare in our area.

In addition, sphagnum absorbs moisture evenly, and is able to do this in a volume exceeding its own, 6 times! Only after that the bandage begins to get wet. Therefore, it was widely used on the fronts not only of I, but also of World War II. Its high hygroscopicity made it possible to change dressings less frequently than when using bandages and cotton wool. It made work medical personnel and allowed not to disturb the wounded too often. During World War II, bandaging sheets made of pressed sphagnum wrapped in gauze were centrally produced at British enterprises. Raw materials were supplied from Wales, Scotland, Ireland.

In emergency cases, when an injury was received in the forest, on a hike, etc., sphagnum moss still remains indispensable for dressing. When transporting injured people with broken limbs, it is good to lay it under the splint to improve immobilization, avoid compression and chafing.

In medicine, attempts are known industrial production drugs based on sphagnum. So, back in 1971, a biostimulant drug called "Peat" was released in the Soviet Union. It was recommended for use in myalgia, arthritis, radiculitis, and some eye diseases. However, this experience has not received further distribution, and today the drug is in the register of domestic medicines not listed.

Application in household, construction

As for the more prosaic ways of using it, agriculture in places where there is a lot of sphagnum moss, it is used as bedding for pets. Some housewives recommend storing bags of vegetables on a pillow of sphagnum moss, which in this case acts as a moisture accumulator. If the vegetables dry up, he gives it away, and if the room (or on the balcony), on the contrary, is humid, the sphagnum draws off excess water. Thus, the gifts of the fields are better preserved.

Speaking about how people used sphagnum moss in the past, one cannot ignore its use as a heater. During the construction of wooden log houses, baths must be laid between wooden details material that will be sufficiently hygroscopic, but at the same time breathable and not susceptible to decay. And here this material is out of competition, the value of sphagnum moss is enormous. In this capacity, it is still successfully used in the northern regions, because due to its bactericidal properties it does not rot, therefore, wooden buildings will be better preserved. At the same time, sphagnum has excellent thermal insulation properties.

In addition, sphagnum moss is widely used for the production of biofilters, as it is an excellent natural sorbent.

Speaking about how people used sphagnum moss in the past, it should be mentioned that among the northern peoples, mothers laid it in the cradle of babies.

Harvesting moss for industry

In the northern regions of Russia, sphagnum is harvested in dry and warm weather by local standards in August - September. Since, after harvesting, the raw materials must be dried, bad weather can seriously complicate the harvesting of raw materials, if not completely disrupt it. Moss is collected by hand, in strips no more than 30 centimeters wide, between which they leave the same size untouched so that the cover can recover. This will take less than seven years. Sphagnum is taken out of the swamp in bags by hand, laid out on metal grates in the drying areas. At this stage, impurities (garbage, leaves, other plants) are also removed from it. So that they were originally minimal amount, for collection choose sites located as far as possible from the forest.