Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?

Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359050

By OhGreatOne -  Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:21 am
Posts:  11
Joined:  Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:16 am

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:21 am #359050

All of the flytraps I've ordered recently have come in long fibered sphagnum moss. Is sphagnum moss better than peat/perlite or is it just an alternative? Which one will yield the best results?

Thanks

Re: Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359051

By Michael_wang -  Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:23 am
Posts:  27
Joined:  Thu May 14, 2020 5:08 pm

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:23 am #359051

honestly, I prefer peat/perlite only because it is much less expensive. sphagnum moss is better for the flytrap but again, it is much more expensive.

OhGreatOne liked this

Re: Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359053

By OhGreatOne -  Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:28 am
Posts:  11
Joined:  Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:16 am

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:28 am #359053

Awesome thanks!

Michael_wang liked this

Re: Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359078

By schmeg -  Fri Jul 17, 2020 6:32 pm
Location:  zone 5a
Posts:  302
Joined:  Tue Jun 05, 2018 8:07 pm

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 6:32 pm #359078

In my experience, sphagnum moss doesn't get algae the way loose peat can. I can let the very top of the LFSM dry out a bit and know that deep down the roots are still nice and damp.

It's also great for outdoor pots, as rain showers don't bounce it out of the pot. Squirrels leave mine alone.

You can always fill the pot with peat mix, then top with LFSM to get the best of both worlds.

Re: Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359084

By hungry carnivores - Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:20 pm

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:20 pm #359084

@Schmeg, you're lucky. Black squirrels seem to be the worst, gray squirrels are more timid or something. In California, I'd avoid using LFS outside, if it's not living.

Re: Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359089

By OhGreatOne -  Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:02 pm
Posts:  11
Joined:  Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:16 am

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:02 pm #359089

I woke up today to a slippery film on the top of my sphagnum moss. I have been watering frequently because of how hot it is here. Is this algae and should I let the top dry out a bit?

Re: Peat/Perlite or Sphagnum Moss?#359101

By optique -  Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:44 pm
Location:  Greenville SC
Posts:  1919
Joined:  Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 pm

- Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:44 pm #359101

I like peat perlite because its cheap and lets me be lazy and use a water trey.
This year i used a layer of pool filter sand to top off the pots, no growths on the sand and i like the look.

last year