Sphagnum, peat moss (Sphagnum L.) from the Sphagnum family (Sphagnaceae). Sphagnum mosses (see photo) are widespread in swampy areas of the entire north of Russia.
They usually form dense or loose various colors(from greenish-yellow to purple) tufts in moss hummocky swamps and swampy forests. Ledum and blueberries (gonobobel), cranberries and cloudberries, cotton grass and princesses, and stunted birches and pines are common plants in such sphagnum bogs. We have several dozen different types of sphagium; only in the European part of Russia there are more than 40 of them.
These mosses, due to their biological characteristics (unlimited growth due to the absence of a root system, high suction capacity and aseptic properties), often create huge deposits of peat of great economic importance. Well-decomposed sphagnum peat, in various types its processing (solid peat, milling peat chips, peat briquettes, peat gases), is a high-quality fuel material.
Sphagnum application.
Little decomposed sphagnum peat finds application in a number of branches of our economy and industry, for example: agriculture as bedding for livestock, peat fertilizer, peat-meal feed for livestock, packaging and preservative material for transportation and storage food products sh fruits (peat powder); in construction as an insulating building material (peat, ophagnite, isoplast, peat-plywood) for laying voids in walls or for filling them; in sanitation as a disinfectant and odor-destroying backfill in powder form Wastewater and cesspools; in medicine (in surgery) - when dressing wounds in the form of gauze bags made of pressed or dry sphagnum instead of cotton wool or lignin: in paper production as a raw material for the manufacture of coarse grades, paper (newsprint, wrapping, wallpaper, cardboard); finally in chemical industry- for the preparation of paints, tannins, alcohol, etc.
During the Great Patriotic War received great importance the use of sphagnum in surgery as a good absorbent dressing for purulent wounds The question of sphagnum as a dressing is very old, already in the 11th century. the British began to use sphagnum for this purpose, then later it spread widely throughout Western Europe.
In the 19th century it was already a well-known remedy: in Napoleonic Wars sphagnum served as a dressing in the fleet; in the Franco-German war of 1870-1871. sphagnum was used as a standard dressing; during Russo-Japanese War the Japanese used sphagnum bandages to provide first aid to the wounded, and many wounds dressed with sphagnum remained in a completely satisfactory condition without any dressing for 10 days while the wounded were being transported from Manchuria to Japan. In the imperialist war of 1914-1918. sphagnum began to be widely used by the British, and then it quickly spread to France, Belgium, Egypt, Canada, the USA and other countries.
After the 80s of the XIX century. Russian surgeons also began to use sphagnum; during the imperialist and civil wars some of our doctors also used sphagnum and spoke well of it. AT recent times preparation of sphagnum for surgical purposes and its use in hospitals have become very widespread and universally recognized. The practice of using sphagnum for dressings has shown that it is much better than many other dressings, especially in the treatment of purulent wounds.
In an unsterilized form, the suitability of peat moss is 12.5 times higher than cotton gray wool, 4 times higher than absorbent cotton and even exceeds the suitability of a Greek sponge; sterilized at 115°, sphagnum has 9.5 times more suitability than gray cotton wool, more than 3 times than hygroscopic cotton wool, and only slightly less suitability than Greek sponge.
Collection and drying of sphagnum.
It is best to collect sphagnum in the summer and dry autumn time, from May to September, but if absolutely necessary, it can be collected at any other time of the year, even in winter, getting moss from under the ice and snow. In fact, all types of sphagnum moss are suitable for collection; it is only necessary to choose long-bearded, long-stalked moss, at least 7 cm long, since short-stalked moss gives a poor quality product. Therefore, it is necessary to take a thick carpet of sphagnum pillows as deep as possible, capturing in any case the entire living, green part of the turf until it turns into a reddish-felt layer.
At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the dying lower layers of sphagnum with fallen leaves are not very suitable for dressing purposes, and therefore the reddish, dying parts of mosses should not fall into the collected material. The very collection of sphagnum consists in simply pulling out the moss with your hands or with a rake with curved teeth. Immediately after extracting the moss, the water in it must be squeezed out. Then the squeezed moss is put into baskets, with heads in one direction, and is cleaned of impurities (needles, twigs, leaves, stems of marsh plants, etc.).
The collected and cleaned moss is dried in the sun, in the wind or on a Russian stove at a temperature of 50-60 °. The degree of drying is determined by eye by the whitening of the green parts of the sphagnum; harvesting practice has shown that out of 9-11 parts of fresh raw moss, 1 part of dry moss is obtained. The humidity of the dried moss should be about 25-30%. Further drying entails fragility of the moss and the formation of dust, which is not allowed, and at a humidity above 40%, the moss becomes moldy during long storage, and freezes during frost.
After drying, sphagnum is best harvested in bales like peat bales, with light pressing them to a size of 100 x 60 x 50 cm and a weight of 70-80 kg. The pile is tied along the long sides with slats tied with wire. Such boiling is very convenient during transport and warns against heavy pollution moss on the road.
It is best to store bales of sphagnum in a shed or under a shed to prevent it from being saturated with water from rain and snow * which can cause moss to rot and mold. Under such conditions, the presence of winter cold ensures the preservation of slightly dry moss until spring. Sphagnum unused during the year is to be replaced next summer with a new one, which is easily done in view of the completely unlimited reserves of sphagnum in Russia.
Sphagnum photo.
The ambiguous opinion about the use of sphagnum mosses with many beginners is confusing - what it is for and if needed, how to use it and where to put it.
The fact is that some flower growers associate its use with diseases gentle and demanding to the conditions and an exotic tropical pet.
To determine this, it is necessary to understand the biological benefits and harms of this component. After all, its incorrect use can lead to sad consequences for the flower.
This is perennial herbaceous plant, which has a number of names: white, peat and sphagnum. The peculiarity is that he does not have a root system, but only a branching, low thin stem. If the upper part of the plant is not limited in growth, then the lower part tends to die off over time, turning into peat.
At the same time, the upper part does not rot, as it contains sphagnol, which has bactericidal and wound healing properties.
Photo of sphagnum moss.
- for intensive moisture absorption;
- the ability to evenly moisten the soil;
- long-term moisture retention;
- antibacterial properties.
Varieties
More than 380 varieties of sphagnum have been recorded in the database "The Plant List":
- close;
- narrow-leaved;
- Baltic;
- hairy;
- compact;
- brown;
- fringed;
- floodplain, etc.
More than 40 species grow in Russia.
A huge number of varieties does not mean that any of the species can be used in agricultural technology when growing orchids.
It is white peat that is mainly used by orchid flower growers. In terms of its characteristics and properties, it is very similar to sand. It transforms the soil into more light structure, loose and hygroscopic. Improves the quality of any soil.
Among lovers of exotic floriculture, he has earned the attention of the ability to intensively absorb moisture and evenly distribute it over the surface. The ability to retain moisture for a long time brings the growing conditions closer to more natural ones.
The use of mosses by flower growers is based on good hygroscopicity and especially on prevention. Exactly these beneficial features are the main factors of application, not counting its decorative effect.
Sphagnum is widely used in orchid growing.
More orchid growers use New Zealand moss, which has a larger and looser fiber structure which provides greater breathability. The disadvantage of this material is its rarity in shopping centers and flower shops.
Beneficial features
Soil looseness
Similar in characteristics to sand, cut moss gives the soil mixture lightness and friability. This is especially important when rooting plants and germinating children, shoots, and so on.
Important! You should be aware that adding material to the soil increases its acidity. Therefore, its volume should not exceed 10% of the soil volume.
Retention and absorption of excess moisture
When examining sphagnum under a microscope, one can notice that the stem and core consist of parenchymal cells and lignified cells.
At the same time, the outer shell of the stem is made up of layers of dead cells, which form many through pores. It is they have the ability to easily absorb moisture and give excellent hygroscopicity.
The ovate leaves do not have a midrib. Half of the cells is occupied by chlorophyll, and half by spiral thickenings with water-bearing pores. Due to them can absorb moisture in excess of its own weight by more than 20 times.
Absorption of harmful salts
In containers with orchids, the topsoil, evaporating, deposits harmful calcium and magnesium salts, which further leads to salinization of a large part of the substrate. Salinity begins to inhibit the plant and affects its development.
Using moss as a mulch helps avoid a quick process.
The use of sphagnum as a mulch prevents soil salinization.
Bactericidal properties
Since the 11th century, sphagnum moss has been used as a dressing material. During all the wars, it was used for dressings without any wound treatment. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the bactericidal properties are provided by the polyhydric alcohol sphagnol, which is part of the composition. Exactly phenol-like substance provides protection to the plant from fungal diseases.
Features of the plant and its life cycle
This is perennial spore plant that does not have a root system. In the process of development and growth, they form straight shoots that do not have branching, which are collected in a dense turf resembling "pillows".
Instead of a stem, phyllidia and caulidia are formed. The gaps that form between the elements have the ability to absorb moisture, which ensures the life cycle.
In addition to phyllidia, which consist of only one cell layer, there is a third element. These are rhizoids, which formally are the root part. The thinnest threads of rhizoids branch very strongly and absorb moisture from the soil layer. One of their features is that over time, the absorption process stops and the rhizoids perform only the function of a support.
The life cycle is based on the alternation of the sexual generation with the asexual. Gametophyte - a sexual generation that has male and female gametes that give rise to asexual sporophytes. The gametophyte is a photosynthetic green plant.
The sporophyte is a spore generation that feeds on the gametophyte. Each sporophyte cell has a double set of chromosomes, while gametes have only one. The development of the sporophyte occurs due to cell division in the process of meiosis. The result of the process is a spore, but having a sex, becoming a single gametophyte. This is how it goes constant, endless, life cycle.
Life cycle of sphagnum.
How to use?
In the soil
Moss at times increases the moisture capacity of the substrate. 1 part of the dried component is able to absorb more than 20 parts of water, which is 4 times higher than even the absorption properties of hygroscopic cotton wool. Drying, the cells brighten due to filling with air. Hence the name "white moss".
Many flower growers, especially in dry rooms, add it to or soil. But when added to the soil, it should be cut into a large fraction and used no more than 10% of the total soil volume.
Before use, it is soaked in warm water to remove unwanted insects. Then squeeze and cut. It is better to dry the moss before use.
It is carried out with a small amount of water, with further complete drying of the material. Do not delay watering after drying to avoid pupation of the roots.
With knowledge and experience, children can be grown in pure sphagnum.
Attention! It can be combined with bark, strictly following the rate and sequence of watering.
Terms of use
Some flower growers are unhappy with the result of using sphagnum, referring to a stop in the development of orchids or rotting of the root system.
This happens due to incorrectness and ignorance of the biological structure:
- watering should be carried out with a small amount of water;
- withstand the next watering until completely dry;
- do not allow completely dried moss to remain without watering for a long time;
- provide sufficient lighting;
- avoid connection with the root neck;
- do not compact the layer.
Do-it-yourself mining and harvesting
sphagnum moss can be found in swampy areas, where it forms peaty clusters resembling pillows. In the northern hemisphere, it is mainly found in the tundra, and in the southern hemisphere - on the slopes of the mountains. and very rarely on flat terrain in the forests of the middle zone.
You can not use freshly prepared material. Only its upper part is cut off so that new shoots can form from the lower part remaining in the soil.
Treatment
Before using it should be treated with boiling water or put in for a while warm water to destroy all kinds of pests: ants, slugs, insects, etc.
Dried should also be treated with boiling water, and then on 4-5 days put in a poly bag until the pests are completely eradicated.
Before use, dry moss is scalded and left in an airtight bag.
Drying
Is it possible:
Use live moss?
Some experienced growers do not recommend using fresh, live moss as a component of the substrate, as they believe that it has an acidic environment and does not contain nutrients. But this is not entirely true. Depending on the place of growth, it can have both a neutral and slightly alkaline environment.. Moreover, it may contain a large number of phosphorus.
In addition to phosphorus, living material may contain large amounts of bicarbonate, sodium and chlorine. Therefore, before use, it should be soaked for 30-40 minutes. But in this case, not only unnecessary substances are lost, but also phosphorus.
Before use, sphagnum should be soaked.
Live sphagnum serves more for aesthetic perception, while processed and dried sphagnum absorbs moisture better and distributes it evenly over the entire surface of the container.
Use moss that grows in the forest?
Moss growing in the forest is cuckoo flax. You can use it, but it is stiffer and does not absorb moisture as well. Not so long can retain water in itself, like sphagnum. Basically, some flower growers add it to sphagnum moss. Moss for orchids from the forest does not have such a significant effect on the shift of salts in the substrate.
Transplant an orchid into moss?
In this case, you will have to strictly monitor the order and timeliness of additional nutrition. The moss does not contain the nutrients necessary for the full development of the orchid and the plant pumps moisture out of it very quickly. The main use of one moss, as soil, used mainly for orchids and germination and shoots.
What to replace?
This is depends on the purpose for which it is used:
- If to increase humidity, then it can be replaced by placing a tray or container of water next to the plant.
- If you increase the moisture capacity of the soil, then use high-moor peat, or palm fiber. But at the same time, the properties of the antiseptic are lost.
Why is sphagnum so remarkable? Its value in nature is enormous. After all, it is moss that creates swamps. That's right - not just living in a swamp, but creating them! From sphagnum, the reserves of such valuable natural wealth as peat are also formed to a very large extent.
Sphagnum (Sphagnum, sphagnum, peat moss, white moss) is a perennial swamp moss, forming the so-called sphagnum bogs.
Its peculiarity is that it actually has no roots - its Bottom part gradually dies off and turns into peat, while the top continues to grow.
Sphagnum properties
- Amazing hygroscopicity
- Excellent breathability
- Antibacterial properties
- Sphagnum contains no nutrients and is acidic (pH about 3.0).
- According to reports, sphagnum itself is not susceptible to any disease.
The use of sphagnum 
- Log cabins
- Transportation of root crops
- Floristics
- The medicine
- Detergents and disinfectants
- Floriculture
Sphagnum moss will stop the bleeding from the wound. Water squeezed from a bunch of sphagnum will be useful to wash the burn. Or attach moss to the burnt place. Under the splint applied to a broken arm or leg, it is very good to put a small pillow of their sphagnum - this will alleviate the pain and help to avoid swelling.
To eliminate the unpleasant smell from shoes, it is enough to put a few sphagnum stalks there as insoles. By the way, this will help to cope with such a difficult-to-treat disease as foot fungus!
The water flowing from the sphagnum bog can be drunk without fear. It is usually dark, because it is infused with peat. But there are no pathogens in it - a biological filter made of sphagnum mosses tried!
Sphagnum moss is also used in construction wooden buildings. Logging logs are laid on it (as well as on kukushkin flax). Due to the peculiarities of its structure, moss has a low thermal conductivity and reliably insulates interior from the cold outside. Sphagnum moss also disinfects logs from pests (for example, from a fungus).
Moss is laid as follows. A bunch of moss is taken, loosened a little and placed on logs. Then it needs to be pressed a little with the palm of your hand. The next portion of moss is laid so as to overlap the previous bunch of centimeters by five. The thickness of the moss layer should be about one and a half centimeters.
How to collect moss 
- To collect moss, it is better to choose a non-marshy area, the most appropriate place moss collection - this is near the trees, where the moss is the least watery
- There are two ways to collect sphagnum:
completely extracting it along with the roots (this way it turns out to be larger in volume, but it requires a long thorough cleaning);
cutting off the upper surface part with a knife - it turns out smaller, longer, but better. - Sphagnum moss can be collected and stacked in bunches
- Harvesting of sphagnum is done mainly by hand. For harvesting, places are selected where moss desired type as free from plant impurities as possible
- Moss is collected selectively, in "trenches" 20-30 cm wide with the same gaps between them, left untouched. This allows the moss to gradually recover in the collection areas. Re-harvesting in this area is possible only after 7-10 years
- For medicinal purposes, the entire living part of sphagnum is used and harvested. Harvesting is carried out from May to September in dry sunny weather.
To collect sphagnum you will need:
- Rubber boots
- Plastic bags
- Band-aid (the number of cuts can be large - I know from my own experience! And mostly not from a knife, but from sedge, which often grows through sphagnum).
- Gloves (they are not so comfortable to work in, but they still protect the hands)
moss drying
Moss drying on hangers, most suitable way moss drying. Moss, hung on a hanger, is well blown, while maintaining its elasticity. Hanging, made from trunks, small trees. 
A - support legs
B - jibs for rack stability
B - a place for laying moss
Hung, placed under a canopy, covering the moss from rain, fog and sun.
Keeping Sphagnum Alive
To keep sphagnum alive, it must be stored in closed plastic bags in frost or cold (refrigerator or freezer), we store outside. When needed, unfreeze it and it will come to life! Everything is as in natural conditions! You can also grow moss: cut off the green parts of the moss and put them in a pan with wet peat, remembering to water constantly. They say it looks great! :)
Moss - to help the gardener
Both gardeners, and especially those who grow houseplants, often use this swamp moss. Lovers of rare orchids cannot do without it at all.
And those who go on vacation can entrust the "watering" of flowers to sphagnum - it is enough to wet the moss and put it over a plant in a pot. The soil will remain moist for a long time.
The housewives used this moss to germinate seeds, and gardeners have adopted this experience. And for good rooting of the cuttings, chopped sphagnum stalks can be mixed into the soil.
But it’s not worth using peat from a sphagnum bog in the garden and in the garden! Indeed, due to the abundance of organic acids, such peat strongly acidifies the soil, which most cultivated plants unacceptably.
White sphagnum moss is quite popular with amateur gardeners. This is due, first of all, to its feature to absorb a sufficiently large amount of moisture and retain it for a long time, without any harm to its fabric base. The presence of natural antiseptic substances in the tissues of sphagnum turns it into a good natural antiseptic, so it is not accidental to transport seedlings, shrubs and flower crops, for long distances, the roots of trees and shrubs are wrapped in wet moss.
Many gardeners use sphagnum for storage of excavated tubers various horticultural crops. To do this, it is enough to dig up the tubers of plants, free them from the ground and small roots, dry them and wrap them with wet pieces of moss. Put all the resulting lumps in a cardboard box and put in a dark, cool place. This is enough to keep the tubers fresh and whole until a new planting. 
Gardeners use sphagnum as natural fighter of various fungal diseases, powdery mildew, for the destruction of slugs, pests and snails. To do this, it is enough to insist a few kilograms of sphagnum in plain water, strain the resulting composition and spray the affected bushes, flowers, or tree trunks several times in the evening. This treatment will be enough for one season. To destroy slugs, or snails, it is enough to treat their places of accumulation with the same liquid.
AT last years became very popular use of sphagnum as a natural substrate for the manufacture of hanging baskets, flower pots, or wooden carved flower pots and various plants. Pieces of sphagnum cut to size are used as drainage, which only need to be soaked before use. Such impromptu garden additions, to landscape design in the form of various curly pots, with always fresh and flowering plants will be a good addition to any garden plot. 
Sphagnum is a perennial marsh spore plant belonging to the genus moss, it is from it that peat is formed. The leaves, as well as the stem of the plant, are made up of water-absorbing cells, which, in turn, are surrounded by photosynthetic elements. There is also a box with spores and a leg. The plant contains carbolic acid, which is an antiseptic. As a result, moss does not rot, but peat is formed. It is due to the growth of plants such as sphagnum that the swamping of water bodies occurs: swamps and lakes.
Sphagnum grows in damp places. It actively absorbs and retains moisture, is the generatrix of sphagnum bogs. Distribution area: South America, northern part of Russia.
Harvesting and storage of sphagnum
Sphagnum is harvested from late April to early October, in warm, dry weather. Otherwise, the collection may complicate high level melt water, activity of blood-sucking insects.
Collect sphagnum in various ways:
- Extracted entirely, along with the roots. In this case, more raw materials are obtained, but it requires more careful processing.
- Cut off the top of the plant with a sharp knife.
Moss should be collected in clearings, about 40 cm each, leaving the plant the possibility of a full recovery. At one site, re-harvesting of raw materials can occur only after a few years.
Wet sphagnum must be carefully squeezed out or weathered from excess water. However, if you need a "live" raw material, then you can not dry the plant. If you are harvesting a plant for future use, then it must be spread out in an even layer in a ventilated place, but not under the sun's rays. It is not advisable to use a dryer, as the plant will dry out unevenly.
"Live" sphagnum is stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator or freezer. Dry moss should be stored in a glass or tin container. AT large quantities dry moss is stored in canvas or cotton bags, in a ventilated area.
Ready sphagnum High Quality should be well dried, but not crumble. Coloring should be natural, greenish-gray. The raw material should not contain impurities, quarrel, dead parts of the rhizome.
Application in everyday life
The plant has a low thermal conductivity, as a result of which it is often used as thermal insulation material in construction. Deodorizers are made from sphagnum, as it has a rather pleasant smell.
Some peoples use this type of moss for the production of sheets and diapers for children. In floriculture, sphagnum is used as a filler in earth mixtures. It is worth noting that when dry, moss is able to absorb water, the amount of which is 20 times the mass of the plant itself. For such properties, moss is especially popular with farmers and flower growers.
A dressing material is made from sphagnum, which is used in veterinary medicine and medicine. Since the fabric perfectly absorbs moisture and has antibacterial properties, it is used even on the battlefield. In Russia, sphagnum is used in the preparation of dietary supplements and other nutritious experimental products. Insoles made from sphagnum help to cope with unpleasant odors and increased sweating legs.
The composition and medicinal properties of sphagnum
- The composition of sphagnum includes: triterpene compounds, phenol-like substances, sugars, resins, pectin elements, mineral salts, cellulose, coumarins.
- Sphagnum promotes the healing of cuts, open and purulent wounds.
- It is used as an antiseptic dressing that does not need to be sterilized.
- It has antibacterial properties, which allows it to be used to combat skin and nail fungus.
- Baths with a decoction of sphagnum can cope with increased sweating, fungal diseases of the skin and nails.
- Peat water, which remains after squeezing the moss, helps to eliminate staphylococcal lesions of wounds.
- Baths with moss are recommended for skin diseases and irritations, as well as for psoriasis.
The use of sphagnum in folk medicine
Powder for healing open wounds
It is necessary to grind the dried sphagnum thoroughly. Sprinkle the resulting powder on the wound, leave for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and bandage. Sphagnum powder can be used to treat open and festering wounds.
Tincture used to treat skin and nail fungus
100 grams of moss should be filled with 250 ml of 70% alcohol. Infuse for several hours, then apply the moss to the affected areas and fix with a bandage.
Collection used to treat skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis
It is necessary to mix the following ingredients in 1: 1 proportions: dry sphagnum, verbena, cudweed, river gravel, clover, primrose, rose petals, rhizomes of galangal and sedge. Mix everything thoroughly. Pour 10 grams of raw materials with 2 cups of boiling water, leave for a couple of hours. Drink before meals, several times a day.
The infusion can also be used externally, diluted in a bath with warm water, or wetting the fabric in it and applying it to sore spots.
Ointment from sphagnum
To prepare the ointment, mix dry moss and petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio. Ointment promotes the speedy healing of wounds and skin inflammation. Apply it to nail fungus.
Baths with a decoction of sphagnum, taken for pain in the joints
Needed in a bucket with cold water put 400-500 grams of moss. Put on a gentle fire, bring to a boil, stand for 5 - 10 minutes. Switch off and wait for cooling. Pour the broth into a bath with warm water. Take a bath for about 30 minutes.
Contraindications for use
To date, no contraindications to the use of sphagnum moss have been identified. The only thing to be wary of is individual intolerance to the elements and substances that make up this plant.
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 marsh 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. At the same time, there will be no danger of waterlogging, since, having accumulated a large amount of moisture, sphagnum moss gives it evenly, as the earth dries up. Keep the soil moist 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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