What Is Sphagnum Moss And What Is It Used For?
As we become more advanced with time, we see ourselves using different techniques to harvest and engineer environments to cater to our purposes. One of the examples of a natural phenomenon being manipulated by humans is the use of Sphagnum moss. This article will help you better understand what Sphagnum moss is and what it is used for.
What is Sphagnum Moss?
The Sphagnum genus contains about 280 different species of moss. Considering the fact that there are a total of 8,000 different types of mosses, we can see that it’s a generally large family. Sphagnum moss has a high tendency to store water, both living and dead plants can store large quantities of water in comparison to their dry weight. It mostly develops naturally in low, poorly drained areas, like old ponds, lakes, and river beds. Places with low drainage and higher water content tend to be deprived of oxygen, so the water becomes anaerobic, eventually slowing down the decomposition process and giving rise to moss populations and peatlands. This tendency to manipulate the habitat around them makes Sphagnum moss a valuable and interesting proposition for container gardeners and artists alike. A few use case scenarios for Sphagnum moss are discussed below.
Container Gardening & Soil Amendment
Sphagnum moss tends to retain water well and has a nice green, gray, and brown color to it, making it ideal for environments like terrariums that rely on self-sufficiency. Apart from its use, obtaining Sphagnum moss is essential for the use of Peat moss as well. Peat moss and Sphagnum moss come from the same plant. Sphagnum moss is the green living version of that plant, and peat moss is the decomposing, dead version of that plant. Since mosses thrive in environments where there is less oxygen, it’s harder for them to decompose. This allows the dried peat moss to spread and create a whole environment. Being from the same plant, we assume that they have the same properties, but they differ in a lot of ways. Peat moss is used to balance PH levels in the soil as it is acidic in nature and is excellent for acid-loving plants. There is a common misconception between the two types of moss, and to dive into sphagnum moss vs peat-moss detailed discussion, it’s a good idea to do a bit of research to get a better understanding. Learn more about the difference between the two mosses, the functionality of peat moss, and how essential it is for gardeners now.
Orchid Farms
Orchids are a very special type of plant, mainly because they primarily use their roots for all processes essential for sustainability, such as photosynthesis and absorption. This dependency on their roots makes it difficult for them to thrive in a normal environment. Sphagnum moss has a highly vascular system that allows water to travel quickly throughout the plant and allows it to store water close to 20 times its body weight. Due to the high water storing capacity, this moss is good for orchid growth as it can be used as the sole medium to facilitate the process. Orchids that have been damaged, have no roots, or are sick, are recommended to be put in a pure Sphagnum moss-based medium. The spacious and airy structure and highly humid environment allow the orchids to thrive and regrow back to their full potential. The only thing you need to be careful about is how acidic the plant can get as time passes, so try to flush out the potting medium once a month to remove any extra acid build-up.
Lifesaver
Many people may not know, but this moss has been helping save lives for a very long time now. Sphagnum moss has been in use ever since the early 20th century when it was being used as an alternative to bandages back in World War 1. Due to its acidic nature acting as an antiseptic and its high water retention capabilities, the moss would end up absorbing more blood than a cotton bandage would. Not just that but, the Canadian government deemed the workers of the peat moss industry to be essential workers during the Covid-19 crisis. Peat moss has proven to be pivotal in its role in supporting the security of the foodservice supply chain. Its qualities as a pest, weed, and pathogen-free medium allow it to be a great way to provide healthy and safe food to the consumer market.
All of the above-stated qualities of this beautiful plant go unnoticed for no reason. Sphagnum moss has been a huge part of the human ecosystem for a very long time, and it’s about time that it gets the recognition it deserves. Whether you want to grow an orchid garden, treat a war wound, or balance the PH of your soil, you know where and what to look for.
