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Post by Dennis Z on Aug 3, 2014 23:56:24 GMT -5
A few weeks ago I did an experiment. I planted a few unknown nepenthes hybrids in two pots with the same soil (Peat:Perlite, 50:50) and top dressed one pot with live sphagnum moss. After a month or so, I noticed a clear difference between the two pots. The nepenthes in the sphagnum pot were substantially larger and had huge leaf jumps while the one without the top dress still did good but not as great. Doing some further research I did discover two things: 1. Sphagnum moss makes the soil more acidic<(makes for a better environment?) 2. Sphagnum moss blocks out some of the heat that would heat up the soil. < ( Keeps roots cool?) I'd like to hear everybody's input on top dressing with sphagnum. Correct me if any of my facts or ideas are erroneous.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Aug 4, 2014 0:12:38 GMT -5
...although this method works in a grow room set up I wouldn't recommend it in a greenhouse as the moss burns because it does not like the higher temps. I have encountered this problem in my greenhouse and am not sure how to fix it. The plants that are growing in the 'burned moss' are too small to transplant so I'm screwed if I transplant them and I'm screwed if I don't. Happy Growing!
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Post by paulkoop on Aug 4, 2014 0:37:51 GMT -5
Hmm i have a bunch of cuttings maybe ill top dress some . spag moss is pricy hense why i switched to peat perlite mix ...
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Post by vraev on Aug 4, 2014 10:07:23 GMT -5
...although this method works in a grow room set up I wouldn't recommend it in a greenhouse as the moss burns because it does not like the higher temps. I have encountered this problem in my greenhouse and am not sure how to fix it. The plants that are growing in the 'burned moss' are too small to transplant so I'm screwed if I transplant them and I'm screwed if I don't. Happy Growing! I think that just means you should have it under some shade. But sphagnum definitely has benefits such as acting as the "indicator" in every pot. For a long while I have noticed that when the sphagnum starts rotting, that is the perfect time to switch media....as the media might be becoming too organic-rich. Also, whenever I had old media in a pot for over 3y....and if the live sphagnum is alive...the plant exclusively grows its roots into the live sphagnum and not a single filament into the actual media. Many neps...especially the sulawesi ones...hamata, jamban, jacquelineae prefer live sphagnum.
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Post by Dennis Z on Aug 4, 2014 11:16:47 GMT -5
Hmm i have a bunch of cuttings maybe ill top dress some . spag moss is pricy hense why i switched to peat perlite mix ... Sphagnum moss spreads fairly quickly, a few clumps of moss can cover a pot in a matter of a month or two.
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Post by canuk1w1 on Aug 4, 2014 12:47:24 GMT -5
I'm guessing it also: 1. increases immediate humidity 2. sops up excess nutrients in the medium Not sure about this last but it's a pleasant thought .
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Post by sokkos on Aug 4, 2014 13:47:23 GMT -5
I'm inclined to think it's the extra humidity. I find for my neps that leaf tips that grow into the sphagnum develop pitches faster than those that are exposed in mid air.
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Post by dante1709 on Aug 4, 2014 15:24:54 GMT -5
I find that having a top dressing of sphagnum mimics the natural habitat of many plants ; often, plants don't just have an equal mix of peat and perlite/sand. Some leaf litter, moss and other organic materials make their way onto the surface of the soil. I use a topdressing for my Nepenthes and Paphiopedilums, and I find it makes it much easier to tell when to water.
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Post by paulkoop on Aug 4, 2014 15:32:29 GMT -5
Yah i was top dressing my paphs cuz i potted them all too high....haha;p...
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Post by H2O on Aug 4, 2014 15:55:39 GMT -5
Top dressing Sphagnum Moss for Paphs isn't a good idea.
Almost the entire genus prefer/need alkaline media. Some species will just slowly wither away and die without it. If you are going to top dress them it is best done with oyster shells or dolomitic lime.
The ph of the media is important for most Paphs especially if you are using a proper fertilizing schedule. Too low of a ph will block the uptake of essential nutrients.
Some of the hybrids will grow in an acidic media but will grow so much better in an alkaline one.
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Post by paulkoop on Aug 4, 2014 16:17:18 GMT -5
Yah i only top dressed the ones i messed up repotting...i didnt want to bary crown and kill them but then found out potting them high is also a no no like 5 months later;p there all growing nicly now ...my whole orchid collection is due for a repot this spring sooo they will get potted right soon
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Post by amanitovirosa on Aug 4, 2014 21:23:29 GMT -5
...although this method works in a grow room set up I wouldn't recommend it in a greenhouse as the moss burns because it does not like the higher temps. I have encountered this problem in my greenhouse and am not sure how to fix it. The plants that are growing in the 'burned moss' are too small to transplant so I'm screwed if I transplant them and I'm screwed if I don't. Happy Growing! I think that just means you should have it under some shade. But sphagnum definitely has benefits such as acting as the "indicator" in every pot. For a long while I have noticed that when the sphagnum starts rotting, that is the perfect time to switch media....as the media might be becoming too organic-rich. Also, whenever I had old media in a pot for over 3y....and if the live sphagnum is alive...the plant exclusively grows its roots into the live sphagnum and not a single filament into the actual media. Many neps...especially the sulawesi ones...hamata, jamban, jacquelineae prefer live sphagnum. ...I know, but there is no shade in my greenhouse. Pain in the ass to switch media when the seedlings are still too small. I have switched to coconut bark for a top dress, it is working better than the New Zealand (in the greenhouse). Thanks for the tip. Cheers!
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Post by vraev on Aug 4, 2014 21:37:33 GMT -5
I think that just means you should have it under some shade. But sphagnum definitely has benefits such as acting as the "indicator" in every pot. For a long while I have noticed that when the sphagnum starts rotting, that is the perfect time to switch media....as the media might be becoming too organic-rich. Also, whenever I had old media in a pot for over 3y....and if the live sphagnum is alive...the plant exclusively grows its roots into the live sphagnum and not a single filament into the actual media. Many neps...especially the sulawesi ones...hamata, jamban, jacquelineae prefer live sphagnum. ...I know, but there is no shade in my greenhouse. Pain in the ass to switch media when the seedlings are still too small. I have switched to coconut bark for a top dress, it is working better than the New Zealand (in the greenhouse). Thanks for the tip. Cheers! Maybe try getting a cloth and cover the shelf with a white thin (cheesecloth like) cloth to decrease the harsh direct light on the particular plants/seedlings.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Aug 4, 2014 22:01:58 GMT -5
...I won't bother, the plants are doing fine, it's the media that's suffering! I'll wait 'till they grow up a bit and then just get 'em outta there! I'm thinking a bit of shade, or less light won't bring the moss back to life. Stupid thing to say, I know, if the media is suffering sooner or later so will the plant. That's ok, I've only got a few with the moss on top. Happy Growing!
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Post by Dennis Z on Aug 5, 2014 7:36:21 GMT -5
The only downside to moss is that if it over grows and covers some leaves of the plant, it is actually blocking out a lot of light. It's very important to trim your moss once in a while.
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