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Post by pbwaj on Nov 14, 2015 7:44:04 GMT -5
Does anyone know the difference between a brick of "orchid moss" from sheridan nurseries, and a package of Zoo Med New Zealand LFS?
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Post by Avery on Nov 14, 2015 10:50:27 GMT -5
I don't know the difference, sorry. But the Zoo Med NZ LFS is great stuff. It's usually pretty expensive but the Sphagnum that eventually grows from it is nice and fluffy. I have many different species of Sphagnum growing in my terrarium, and the NZ LFS is the largest, so it's maybe not ideal for small, slow growing plants.
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Post by vraev on Nov 15, 2015 2:25:35 GMT -5
There are two packs of sphagnum u can get in Sheridan...both from the same Better-gro brand. One is a brick and the other is a "8.5" standard letter" sized brick. This page sized brick is supposedly lower quality compared to the actual brick shaped pack. I just found the brcik to be a bit cleaner than the other one. But both work fine and I have used both to grow picky nepenthes and it is all fine and dandy.
Personally I never tried the zoo med one just because I felt it was too expensive.
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Post by pbwaj on Nov 15, 2015 6:41:21 GMT -5
I've already got the brick from Sheridan, my VFT and baby Nep were transplanted into a mix with it. also, so were my sundew seeds. The stuff from Sheridan is coming back to life, slowly, not all of it, just a couple pieces.
Anyone knows where I can get NZ LFS (live) in or around Toronto? I may just end up going to Big Al's Aquarium to grab a small pack of the Zoo Med stuff.
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Post by lalegault on Jan 7, 2016 2:43:22 GMT -5
I've already got the brick from Sheridan, my VFT and baby Nep were transplanted into a mix with it. also, so were my sundew seeds. The stuff from Sheridan is coming back to life, slowly, not all of it, just a couple pieces. Anyone knows where I can get NZ LFS (live) in or around Toronto? I may just end up going to Big Al's Aquarium to grab a small pack of the Zoo Med stuff. Lee Valley Tools used to sell it, dehydrated, I believe...
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Post by pbwaj on Jan 7, 2016 11:32:13 GMT -5
I've already got the brick from Sheridan, my VFT and baby Nep were transplanted into a mix with it. also, so were my sundew seeds. The stuff from Sheridan is coming back to life, slowly, not all of it, just a couple pieces. Anyone knows where I can get NZ LFS (live) in or around Toronto? I may just end up going to Big Al's Aquarium to grab a small pack of the Zoo Med stuff. Lee Valley Tools used to sell it, dehydrated, I believe... Thank you, but i ended up going with the brick at Big Al's Aquarium. It worked, and i have a couple live batches growing, slowly, but turned green and growing.
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Post by lalegault on Jan 12, 2016 3:13:53 GMT -5
Great you found some.
Earlier today- in the most random of places (China Town - Toronto, 280 Spadina "Dragon mall") I found an aquarium place whose owner - I think she is, also raises CP and has several supplies.
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Post by lloyd on Jan 12, 2016 9:24:10 GMT -5
I didn't know they have NZ LFS. Good find.
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Post by danyoh on Jan 12, 2016 19:31:52 GMT -5
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jan 12, 2016 19:44:08 GMT -5
...hey Dany, that is probably the best LFS to use. I find it absorbs and retains water way better than the Chilean LFS. You can pick up the exact same brick at Lee Valley in Burlington (QEW/Guelph Line) for about $8. Price drops if you buy 3 or more.
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Post by danyoh on Jan 12, 2016 21:23:53 GMT -5
Great! Thanks for the info
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Post by RuBisCO on Feb 1, 2016 23:17:10 GMT -5
For products like New Zealand LFS etc do you have to rinse the initial reconstitution? Or is it safe to just add the appropriate water and use away? I assume it's good to go after adding, in my case, distilled water - but just was looking for some reassurance... ?
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Post by pbwaj on Feb 8, 2016 8:20:36 GMT -5
For products like New Zealand LFS etc do you have to rinse the initial reconstitution? Or is it safe to just add the appropriate water and use away? I assume it's good to go after adding, in my case, distilled water - but just was looking for some reassurance... ? I did an experiment on some (NZ LFS) without doing a rinse on it, and the stuff I grabbed is thriving, with no algae or infestations, so it seems clean.
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Post by danyoh on Feb 8, 2016 13:53:06 GMT -5
I noticed that lower quality LFS grew algae (for my orchids) but the NZ LFS I got from amazon (Spagmoss) was fine without rinsing
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Post by deanm on Feb 19, 2016 18:55:10 GMT -5
Years ago now I was in the orchid horticultural industry (anyone remember Brookside Orchids out of Langley area of BC?) and we tested various mosses. The New Zealand LFS outperformed the Chilean one but it is more expensive.
For a horticulture operation that cost difference was important consideration (like food - orchids were becoming (at the time) a low margin item - you make your money on volumes sold). For a home grower that is your choice or not.
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