Sphagnum Moss vs Sphagnum Peat Moss

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I found this interesting info while researching media compositions and would like to share this, here it is;

Sphagnum Moss vs Sphagnum Peat Moss

Don't confuse sphagnum moss with sphagnum peat moss. Sphagnum moss and sphagnum peat moss are not the same product. Sphagnum moss is used in the floral industry to line wire baskets and make wreaths. It is the LIVING moss that grows on top of a sphagnum bog. Sphagnum peat moss is used as a soil conditioner by gardeners. It is the dead material that accumulates in the lower levels of a sphagnum bog. Harvesters of the horticultural peat moss remove the top few inches of the live sphagnum moss before harvesting the peat from the lower levels of the bog.

There has also been some confusion about which of the two is actually the source of a fungal disease called Cutaneous Sporotrichosis, which according to Gerry Hood of the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association, is causing some concern within gardening circles. Sporotrichosis is a chronic infection identified by ulcerous skin lesions and is caused by coming in contact with the fungus, Sporothrix schenckii. Research has found no cases of sporotrichosis being transmitted in sphagnum peat moss. However, the fungus Sporothrix schenckii,does live in the top, living portion of the bog that is removed before peat harvesting.

Research done by the Mississippi State Forestry Commission, the Mississippi State Board of health, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center found that an outbreak of Cutaneous Sporotrichosis among Mississippi forestry workers in 1975 and 1976 was due to contaminated sphagnum moss. All of the infected persons had been in contact with pine seedlings packed in sphagnum moss or with sphagnum moss alone, and all lesions were on the hands and arms. The contaminated moss was believed to have come from a single source. This source probably received a lightly contaminated batch of sphagnum moss and stored this batch outside. Being outdoors in the moist, warm, Mississippi summer caused the fungus to increase and heavily contaminate the moss. Once it was realized that the batch was contaminated and was causing forest workers to get sick the rest of the batch was disposed of. The workers who contracted the disease were treated with orally administered potassium iodide. Another study in 1988 of workers who contracted Cutaneous Sporotrichosis also showed it was caused by handling and packing with sphagnum moss.

Precautions are taken by the industry. To guard against epidemic sporotrichosis, nurseries store all sphagnum moss indoors, disinfect storage and packing buildings monthly, use precautions when handling moss, and regularly test recently received and stored moss for the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Home gardeners using sphagnum moss should wear gloves and long sleeves to prevent coming in contact with the dried moss.

Remember, sphagnum moss is NOT the same as the safe, sphagnum peat moss you use as a soil amendment!

(References: "Don't Confuse Sphagnum Moss with Peat Moss," by Gerry Hood, President, Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association; "Cutaneous Sporotrichosis in Forestry Workers," by K.E. Powell, A. Taylor, B.J. Phillips, D.L. Blakey, G.D. Campbell, L. Kaufman, and W. Kaplan. JAMA 240(3):10, 12-13; and "Multistate Outbreak of Sporotrichosis in Seedling Handlers," by T. England, M.J. Kasten, R. Martin, T. Cote, D.L. Morse, R. David, and J.P. Davis. Journal of the Amer.

Medical Assoc. 260(19):2806, 2811.)

(Prepared by Karen Nash, Consumer Horticulture Intern, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0327.)

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Additionally;

In Britain and parts of Europe, overuse of peat moss by gardeners and others has led to environmental concerns as bogs are depleted, and gardeners are now encouraged not to use peat moss.

Sphagnum peat moss is an alternative. Gardeners say American sphagnum moss is too tough and stringy. Use sphagnum peat moss from Canada. Don't use sphagnum moss, which is the fresh plant: sphagnum peat moss is partly decomposed and is the correct product for gardening and potting soils.

Canadian sphagnum peat moss is not a threatened resource.

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Coco peat moss

Now an organic, sustainable alternative for peat: Coco Peat!

Out performs peat and saves the peat bogs!

Coco Peat makes an excellent growing medium for hydroponics, soil mixes, and container plant growing. This clean coir has natural rooting hormones and anti-fungal properties. It is a 100% organic product.

Coco Peat Facts

1. Coco peat can be used in seed starting mixes, bedding plants, planters, soil mixes, gardens, container plants. Anywhere you would use peat moss. The properties of Coco Peat make it resistant to bacterial and fungal growth.

2. Coco Peat holds water rather than shedding it like traditional peat does! It holds 8-9 times it's weight in water.

3. Coco Peat has the ability to store and release nutrient to plants for extended periods of time. It also has great oxygenation properties which is important for healthy root development.

4. It has a pH of 5.0-6.8 which is neutral to slightly acidic. This makes it great for alkaline garden soils.

5. Easy to use! Just put your compressed Coco Peat brick in a container, add 4 quarts of warm water and let it sit until the water is absorbed, fluff it up and you are ready to use Coco Peat!

6. Coco Peat can even be reused for up to 4 years!

7. Vermiculture: Coco peat makes a great bedding material for worm bins! It's actually good for them and increases worm growth by 25%.

8. Coco Peat is very slow to disintegrate, whereas peat breaks down within two years after application. Coco Peat only begins to break down when it is 10 years old.


An alternative is coconut coir, the waste-product from coconut shells. It is widely available, usually in the form of bricks or bales, and it works well -- use it like peat moss. Coir mostly comes from Sri Lanka, India or the Philippines. Sri Lanka produces about a million cubic metres of coir a year and has a large surplus.

"Coconut Husk Fiber is an excellent potting medium. This great replacement for peat moss does not shed water like peat moss, and holds up to ten times its weight in water. After soaking in water for 10-20 minutes, you will have 1/3-1/2 cubic foot of weed- and disease-free material. The pH of this potting medium is between 5.2-6.8

Specs:

PH 5.0 – 6.8
C:N ratio 80:1
Total pore space (v/v) 94 – 96 %
Air filled porosity (v/v) 10 – 12 %
Water hold capacity (DW) 8–9 times
Cellulose (w/w, DW) 20 – 30 %
Lignin (w/w, DW) 65 – 70 %
Organic matter (w/w, DW) 94 – 98 %
Organic carbon (w/w, DW) 45–50 %
Cation exchange capacity 60 – 130 m
Eq./100g Ash (DW) 3 – 6 %

Other notes and Quotes:

"One small brick makes approximately 4 quarts of fluffy, wonderful smelling soil amendment"

"Coconut Coir -- Wrapped Bricks, Blocks, Bales and Coir Grow Poles from ********: 8x4x2" Brick of Coconut Coir compressed 8 to 1 -- add one gallon of hot water and it expands to 1/3 cubic foot or 9 quarts. Blocks are compressed 5 to 1 and expand to 2.5 cubic feet (75 quarts). Bales are compressed 2 to 1 and expand to 8 cubic feet (240 quarts)"

"Compressed coir fibre which expands to make a compost base when soaked in water. One brick makes 8 lt of coir which is enough for 2 seed trays. Use neat for sowing. Mix with perlite for cuttings. Add nutrients for raising transplants. One-, 2-, or 8-brick packs."

Directions for Use:

* Lay block down flat somewhere with good drainage.

* Slowly pour 1 gallon of warm water over block allowing water to absorb without runoff.

* Let block sit for 30-40 minutes.

*Break apart with hands until light and spongy. The warmer the water the faster and easier.

*Do not use hot water over 100 deg.