FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I have always been confused about sphagnum moss. Why do people put long fibered sphagnum moss around their plants. Is it more for decoration and holding moisture? Or am I missing out on something that can benefit my plants??? LFS is used for nepenthes, but I see people put it on their sarracenia, dionaea, cobra lilies, etc. If sphagnum moss is going to benefit my plants, where would I be able to get some live sphagnum moss?

Frothy_Milk wrote:I have always been confused about sphagnum moss. Why do people put long fibered sphagnum moss around their plants. Is it more for decoration and holding moisture? Or am I missing out on something that can benefit my plants??? LFS is used for nepenthes, but I see people put it on their sarracenia, dionaea, cobra lilies, etc. If sphagnum moss is going to benefit my plants, where would I be able to get some live sphagnum moss?

mostly aesthetics, however my hamata and darlingtonia are planted in 100% live LFS


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Live Sphagnum produces hydrogen ions that acidifies the surroundings, so a plant grown in live sphagnum will rarely need repotting due to loss of acidity.
Cheers
Steve

steve booth wrote:Live Sphagnum produces hydrogen ions that acidifies the surroundings, so a plant grown in live sphagnum will rarely need repotting due to loss of acidity.
Cheers
Steve

Does the Sphagnum have to be planted in the pot to acidify the surroundings, or can it acidify by just being on the top layer?


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Frothy_Milk wrote:

steve booth wrote:Live Sphagnum produces hydrogen ions that acidifies the surroundings, so a plant grown in live sphagnum will rarely need repotting due to loss of acidity.
Cheers
Steve

Does the Sphagnum have to be planted in the pot to acidify the surroundings, or can it acidify by just being on the top layer?


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Regular dead LFS will make the media slightly acidic over time as well.


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[quote="Frothy_Milk"]

Does the Sphagnum have to be planted in the pot to acidify the surroundings, or can it acidify by just being on the top layer?

it needs to be growing, so plant it on the surface and water well, it will start growing if the pot is large enough and wet enough. Dont pack the moss too tightly though otherwise if it cant breathe it will turn into a goopy mess.

Cheers
Steve