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Post by Devon on Jan 30, 2014 12:24:23 GMT -5
I just received my LFS from this store and the quality looks great. I've ordered from JustmossCanada before and the quality of their moss was good too, but last year when I tried ordering again they said they were out of stock. I'll probly order some more from them for my outdoor plants in the spring, and maybe I'll stock up on this Chilean stuff from Ravenvision too since it's on sale right now. Thanks for your suggestions again everyone. Edit* I found some old sphagnum that I used for a Heli. It from JustMossCanada and it still looks fairly fresh, but it's possible it could have deteriorated a little. Here is a comparison between the Chilean stuff and NZ. The Chilean Sphagnum is on the left. Chilean Sphag on on top: The Chilean LFS is much fuller, but when all scrunched together in a pot I don't think it makes a big difference.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 13:17:38 GMT -5
Post by canuk1w1 on Jan 30, 2014 13:17:38 GMT -5
I've read the Chielean sphag doesn't hold water as well as the New Sealand stuff. So it does have its uses - where you'd want a media that drains well but doesn't hold too much moisture. I'm curious what the TDS reading is on the Chilean stuff too.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 13:26:46 GMT -5
Post by Devon on Jan 30, 2014 13:26:46 GMT -5
I've read the Chielean sphag doesn't hold water as well as the New Sealand stuff. So it does have its uses - where you'd want a media that drains well but doesn't hold too much moisture. I'm curious what the TDS reading is on the Chilean stuff too. Maybe it's better to use Chilean LFS with neps then? I still don't have a tds meter, but I'm planning on buying one with my next paycheck. May I ask where you bought yours if you have one? I have found several online but aquarium stores locally only seem to sell big ones.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 14:04:17 GMT -5
Post by hal on Jan 30, 2014 14:04:17 GMT -5
I still don't have a tds meter, but I'm planning on buying one with my next paycheck. May I ask where you bought yours if you have one? I have found several online but aquarium stores locally only seem to sell big ones. Walmart has TDS meters for about $10 in their vehicle section. People buy them to check the drinking water in their RV's, I think.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 14:05:25 GMT -5
Post by Devon on Jan 30, 2014 14:05:25 GMT -5
Thanks!
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 14:21:29 GMT -5
Post by canuk1w1 on Jan 30, 2014 14:21:29 GMT -5
FWIW, I got mine with my Zerowater dispenser. Unless you are doing hydroponics and also need to test pH, get the $10 meter.
Personally, I think I prefer the NZ with neps but that's just my conditions I reckon - house gets very dry so I need the media to hold more water in the winter. Where's Apoplast when we need him?
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 17:17:14 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Jan 30, 2014 17:17:14 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother testing LFS with a TDS meter, unless it's a weird brand that might have fertilizer in it (never have seen any).
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 17:31:27 GMT -5
Post by Devon on Jan 30, 2014 17:31:27 GMT -5
Even so, I still need to get one for peatmoss and sand.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 18:40:48 GMT -5
Post by shoggoths on Jan 30, 2014 18:40:48 GMT -5
I think I'll buy from JustMossCanada to make the mix and top-cover with NZ.
I recently repotted my regia with Fafard sphagnum and at 30 RH, I had to water it twice last week. In Chilean sphag, I usually only add water every two or once a week.
The mix needs to retain enough water for a week to cover holidays time...
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 19:12:29 GMT -5
Post by hal on Jan 30, 2014 19:12:29 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother testing LFS with a TDS meter, unless it's a weird brand that might have fertilizer in it (never have seen any). At an orchid society meeting recently I was told that LFS can run as high as 150ppm when rinsed with hot RO water. They recommend rinsing all media before planting orchids.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 19:25:22 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by H2O on Jan 30, 2014 19:25:22 GMT -5
I'm not saying it's a good or bad thing but I've always soaked LFS and potted into it right away. I've probably gone through hundreds of pounds of LFS since I started using it and I never noticed any decline in plants. I've fertilized CP's are more then 150ppm so I wouldn't be too worried. I always thoroughly flush the pot right after potting up so that might help too.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 22:18:36 GMT -5
Post by vraev on Jan 30, 2014 22:18:36 GMT -5
I agree...i never wash my LFS. I just mix it up with other media components, mix with water to soak it up.... and pot up the plants in the media.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 22:24:45 GMT -5
Devon likes this
Post by vraev on Jan 30, 2014 22:24:45 GMT -5
Hey Devon...nice job with the comparison. I want to give the justmoss product a try... does justmoss ship the moss all over canada? Or is there another website where I can buy some? I want to try and see if I can get some of that moss with green tips and see if I can get it back to life.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 23:00:54 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Jan 30, 2014 23:00:54 GMT -5
When you test TDS of leach water from organic materials (with no mineral contamination), the TDS reading will reflect organic substances. These are likely to be benign to any plants. It's the mineral salts that can kill the roots of sensitive plants.
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LFS
Jan 30, 2014 23:36:25 GMT -5
Post by hal on Jan 30, 2014 23:36:25 GMT -5
Good point, Lloyd. I personally never wash any media except sand. And I'll use tap water on my CPs in a pinch.
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