Re: sphagnum questions (late reply)

thanley (thanley@why.net)
Fri, 02 Aug 1996 16:45:25 +0000

questions on sphagnum moss.
It has been my experience that it is undenniably great stuff for these
reasons:
1.it holds up to 27 times it weight in water-keeping surrounding
plants moist
2.this moisture evaporates causing a noticable cooling effect helping
cool plant roots on hot days
3. looks great
4. as sphagnum grows and absorps water an exchange of ions causes a
natural rise in acidity (more acid) which dirupts the growth of
fungus.
5 dry sphagnum was used for bandaging issued to soldiers in WWI for
this "natural sterile" condition due to this
A good show to check out is "the secret life of bogs" by david suzuki
on "The natue of things" (PBS)
thanks tom