Date: Fri, 12 Jun 98 16:46:08 -0500 From: Nep <situla@spacestar.net> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2012$foo@default> Subject: Live sphagnum as a "mediator"
Sphagnum moss is considered to be a very "pure" moss, you can form your
own conclusions as to what that means. I have wonderd about live sphagnum
moss's effectiveness and/or role in constructing a "self-sustaining
aptmosphere" if you will.
I have noticed that if live sphagnum grows, or is put into an enclosed
jar (containing some other things such as plantlets and some dead
sphagnum moss), that mould rarely, if ever takes hold in the jar, an
environment which is almost certain to be invaded by fungus in most other
conditions.
I have also had live sphagnum grown out of masses of dead sphagnum in
trays where some drosera seeds had been planted. Those seed "cells" never
showed and sign of any fungus in them.
I'd also like to say that I have never seen fungus growing on any
surface of live sphagnum. Yes, it has been considered that spagnum works
well as a mild "supressent" of fungus. I, however, am more interested in
it's ability to create a realatively sterile or fungus-free
aptmosphere/environment.
The basic question is: Is this possible? It's ability to keep a
swamp-like jar of "refuse" that I have in my room, very "managed" and
fungus-free. This is a container consisting of maybe a centimetre of live
sphagnum and as much distilled water. I put things like possibly dead
rhizomes, roots and remaining seeds in it and see if they grow;
interestigly enough, it's a very successful system.
The idea interests me because of the potential to lay a light covering of
live sphagnum on the surface of an enclosed Nepenthes
"case/jar/terrarium" and have an environment in which the constant threat
of a fungal "invasion" isn't always present. I have a general aversion to
using chemicals with those plants.
In general, I am talking about the soil, not the plants.
Also, yes I know that mould spores and fungus are realatively constant
things which exist in every pot of every collection and that I just may
not notice it or words to that effect. I, however, am referring to the
*always* unwelcome carpeting of fuzz on the media surface, and other
events which may mark the end, or the begining of an unsightly terrarium.
Forgive me for any misspellings or what not, I am writing this mainly to
alleviate extreme stress an anxiety. I must go back to work now....
-Trevor
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