Re: Live sphagnum moss & Osmunda fibre

Chris Marsden (100620.2156@CompuServe.COM)
19 Jul 96 18:20:47 EDT

All,

> Hi Mike,
>
> > I have heard and read in a book or two that live sphagnum moss helps fight
> > /or prevent fungi attacks... is this true or is this an old wives' tale?
> > Thanks
> > Mike
> >
> Yes, it does help prevent fungal attacks. I'm not sure
> exactly how, but it isn't an old wives tale. Others will tell you
> the same! I've never experienced fungus on any of my plants grown
> in live sphagnum.
>
> Chris

I'll second that....

Perhaps somebody could explain why I get odd looks and the
occasional "well I'm surprised they've clung on this long" when I
mention that I have a top dressing of Live sphagnum on all my
Sarracenias?? Whenever, it seems, I mention it to a supposedly
CP person they go really funny on me. I find it an excellent water
quality indicator, I never have any mould on the plants with the
dressing, it looks wonderful around an adult plant and it is there,
nice and green while everything else in the greenhouse is black
or in dormancy (except the cacti...yes, I said it, I really do share a
CP house with cacti...sin of all sins...). Anyone explain this cold
shoulder approach?

As for the Osmunda fibre (sorry....."moving quickly on"...) I thought this
came from the genus of ferns related to the royal fern
(Osmunda regalis).... can anyone tell me its origins for certain? Where
do you get this stuff from - I see it mentioned in lots of Nep compost
recipes?

Kind Regards,

Toby