Milled Canadian sphagnum peat moss
Long fiber sphagnum moss
Clean water (captured rainwater, bottled spring water, distilled water,
RO water, etc.)
Directions: Cut some drainage/level control holes in the side of the
container about 2 inches below the final intended surface of the bog. Place
alternating layers of the milled peat and the long
fiber moss, wetting each layer as you put it into the container. Keep at
it until you have filled the container to the brim. Let it age (ripen)
for 10 to 14 days. It will smell somewhat obnoxiuos at first, but after
aging, it will smell damp and somewhat pleasant. Then you can start
placing your plants in it. Just pull apart a little hole in the surface
and put the plant in it without disturbing the root/rhizomes too much.
The drainage holes will control the level of water in the bog, so if you
have a plant that likes a somewhat drier location, build a little mound
for it to grow in. And if you have a plant that likes it still wetter,
you can dig a depression to allow the plant to sit deeper in the
container. Put a top layer of sphagnum moss (live, green if available)
around the plants to cover any of the milled peat. This will protect the
surface of the bog from spatter/erosion when it rains or if you water it
too vigorously.
Check your water level regularly, and use clean water to bring
the level back up to the drainage holes.
I've built one of these in a 4 foot diameter by 9 inch deep child's
wading pool. It works fine for Sarr. Pings. Drosera, and vft.
I also put some non-cp plants into the bog. It gives some more diversity
to the scene and besides there are a lot of nice plants out there that
just are not fortunate enough to be carnivorous: swamp rose, bog buttons,
river pinks, meadow beauties, soft rush, ferns, etc.