What does sphagnum peat moss do to soil?
Harvested from peatlands and bogs, sphagnum moss adds essential nutrients to the soil, creating a rich layer that encourages the growth of living plant material such as trees and shrubs, while also promoting the activity of beneficial fungi and other microorganisms. A common use of sphagnum moss is for seed starting or as a growing medium for succulents and orchids—any plants where a light, airy texture with good moisture retention is key. You can either use sphagnum moss on its own or mix it into another potting medium.Gardening and Houseplants Sphagnum moss is a fantastic propagation medium for plant cuttings. It can be used to create a propagation box by placing plant cuttings like Monstera, String of Hearts, Begonia, Peperomia, or Philodendron on top of a layer of sphagnum moss in a container.Peat moss is the partially decomposed remains of formerly living sphagnum moss from bogs. Because it’s nearly impossible to rewet once it’s dried, it repels water and makes a terrible surface mulch.Both have good water retention. Peat moss may hold up to 70% of its weight in water. Sphagnum moss has discernible plant pieces, is very flexible, long-fibered, and has a soft spongy texture, whereas sphagnum peat moss is more decomposed, has short fibers, and a finer texture.
What are the disadvantages of sphagnum peat moss?
However, peat moss has drawbacks: it is low in nutrients, has a low pH and is not attractive to essential soil microbes. Compost offers an alternative that feeds microbes, improves drainage and retains water, though it decomposes more quickly, Brewer said. Don’t use #PeatMoss Disadvantages for peat moss: – It’s extremely acidic and offers almost no nutrition available for plants. Once it dries out, it’s very hard to wet. It’s hydrophobic. Its acidity kills soil microbes–it’s antiseptic.The Problem with Peat Moss Peat builds up at a rate of just 1 millimeter per year. So once a peat bog is harvested, it takes hundreds, if not thousands, of years to regenerate. That means each scoop of peat we pull from the earth is one we can’t replace in our lifetime—or our children’s.The reality is, however, that it is nearly impossible for a home gardener to get the peat moss application rate right. You might add too much and make the soil too acidic, and you might add too little which won’t help with moisture and aeration.The extraction of peat has significant environmental consequences. It contributes to the loss of valuable habitats, disrupts ecosystems, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and degrades water quality.Peat moss takes more than 1 to 2 years to degrade, and during that period, it causes peat to decompose into an extremely dense soil, which then gets insufficient aeration and does not drain properly, and the plant is not grown easily.
What soil does sphagnum moss need?
Substrate: Sphagnum moss can be cultivated alone or as a top dressing over another substrate. It is not always necessary to have soil. If you do decide to use a substrate, consider combining peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite to make a well-draining and nutrient-rich media. Plants with low fertilization needs do fine in only sphagnum moss, but because it is nutrient-poor it is not suitable for plants that grow fast, such as young seedlings.When using Sphagnum moss, repot your plants in the same way you would when using soil by surrounding the root system with the moss and lightly compacting it down. After potting, you can soak the moss with water and gently squeeze the pot to get rid of any excess.You can use sphagnum moss for any plants, including cactus, ferns, and carnivorous plants. They’re great for plants that need special care, like sphagnum moss for orchids. You can also use it for DIY projects! You’ll want to use dried moss sphagnum if a plant requires moist soil.Mix peat moss thoroughly into the soil before planting. This enhances water retention, soil texture, and aeration, especially in sandy or compacted soils.
What plants like sphagnum peat moss?
Sphagnum moss is especially ideal for lithophytic or epiphytic plants (like orchids and some aroids) which need moisture at the root zone, but also lots of airflow. Peat moss is used in containers and as a soil amendment because of its water holding capacity, and at the same time, it promotes water drainage, balancing the amount of air and water in the root zone. As I mentioned, it is the main ingredient in many soil-less potting mixes, and it is used as a soil amendment.Peat moss or peat based compost is often used as a soil conditioner to increase soil nutrient retention and water drainage. However, peat moss is naturally very poor in the nutrients required for plant growth, and you’ll have to use other amendments to make up for it.Many plants are well-adapted to growing in peat moss, from classic leafy houseplants like pothos to decadent flowering shrubs like hydrangeas. Epiphytic plants, like moth orchids, are happiest when grown in light, soilless mediums like peat moss.Almost any potted plant you can buy grows in a soil mix containing peat moss, and most bagged potting soil does. You can also buy it to mix into your potting soil blend. It’s especially useful for growing flowers and food in containers because it helps plants maintain the moisture they need.
What plants benefit most from peat moss?
Moisture-loving plants, such as ferns and carnivorous species like Venus flytraps, also flourish in peat-moss-rich environments. Additionally, peat moss is widely used for seedlings and transplants, as it provides a stable and disease-resistant medium that promotes healthy growth. Peatlands contain vast amounts of carbon, they reduce flood risk by storing water, and provide fantastic habitat for rare birds such as curlew and golden plover. By contrast, extracting peat releases huge quantities of carbon dioxide and destroys important ecosystems that take centuries to form.It’s not ideal to leave peat moss on top, as it tends to dry out and become hydrophobic (repels water). It should be mixed into the soil to function properly.Benefits of Adding Peat Moss to Soil Peat moss aerates the soil, allowing roots to breathe and grow freely. It acts as a natural sponge, holding moisture and ensuring plants remain hydrated during hot, dry weather. Additionally, peat moss gradually decomposes, adding organic nutrients that enrich the soil over time.Peat moss is acidic but there are few plants that thrive preferably in alkaline soil and don’t do well with peat moss. These include spinach, gourds, cauliflower, berries, and ginger, etc.
Is sphagnum peat moss better than compost?
Compost can compact and sometimes contains weed seeds, unlike peat. Because peat moss does not compact, it can provide excellent soil aeration for multiple years. Both compost and peat moss hold water well, but peat moss has better moisture retention levels, especially when added to rocky or sandy soils. Peat moss can make the soil too acidic for plants that need an alkaline or neutral soil pH. Before using peat moss in your garden, find out if your plants can tolerate acidic soil. Otherwise, you might end up killing them.However, most peat moss found in garden centers is neutral or slightly acidic. Only Canadian sphagnum peat moss has a low pH of 3. H.When planting species that thrive in acidic soil—such as blueberries or azaleas—mix peat moss into your potting soil to achieve an acidic pH. Peat moss can also help neutralize alkaline soil by bringing down the overall pH. This can help you grow plants that like roughly neutral soil like camellias.Soil Amendment It is key to thoroughly mix in peat moss with soil, if it is exposed at the surface, it tends to harden or blow away. Because peat moss is acidic, for plants that need a higher pH, you may have to add garden lime to the soil to raise its pH over time.If a soil test indicates that your soil is too alkaline, mixing in some peat moss will help bring it down. However, if you’ve already got acidic soil, consider adding some lime to counterbalance the acidity—lime the soil amendment, not lime the fruit!