Bonny Posted April 27, 2017 Report Share Posted April 27, 2017 Hi, just new to the forum so wanted to say hello. Just wanted to use the forum to gauge the demand for live (dried) or freshly picked and moist sphagnum moss in the UK. The land we own was a former peat bog and as a result is the perfect environment to be growing sphagnum moss. The mire specialist from the wildlife trust was very impressed with the quality, quantity and species diversity that we currently have on his recent visit! Hence, we are currently considering harvesting some to sell. Anyone offer advise on possible demand and where would be the best places to advertise it through. Don't want to harvest of a large commercial scale just a very niche select plant and wildlife loving market that would appreciate it!!! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted April 27, 2017 Report Share Posted April 27, 2017 Hi Bonny and welcome As someone who has previously bought bulk amounts of good quality Sphagnum moss for my collection, I myself would certainly be interested in finding out more about your proposed plans. If you establish yourself, the mods here will probably allow you to host an advert as I'm sure others would be interested. As you are looking to approach niche hobbies and amateur growers, your best bet is probably forums like this and affiliation with specific clubs/organisations. Let me know if/when you have some ready for sale as I'd be interested in a quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted April 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2017 53 minutes ago, Stu said: Thanks Stu I will let you know what ours plans are once we firm them up. Any ideas, are most people after dried or live moist sphagnum moss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted April 27, 2017 Report Share Posted April 27, 2017 I can't speak for everyone's individual needs, but I look for fresh, live moss myself. Dried moss is easier to find in stores/online... good quality fresh sphagnum (responsibly and legally sourced) is harder to come by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropicat Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 welcome bonny! what a nice opportunity. I'd say live sphagnum definately. If you post some photos you will have reactions in no time. But i do believe you cant start selling on this forum straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Hello bonny and welcome. Good luck with a new niche market venture. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ada Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Live moss and pictures are best,i grow live moss for my darlingtonia and its always good to have different species if possible 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannahraptor Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Ditto. Live will be popular. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted April 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 Just a few images of some of the mosses we have growing at the minute.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropicat Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Especially the 3rd photo looks nice. I think you can sell that. I wonder if you can grow this faster than you sell it. Also, are there any legal concerns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted April 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 We have had a mire specialist from the wildlife trust and the forestry commission out to see our land and no legal issues were highlighted. We own the wood in which the sphagnum is growing and no restrictions were put on the land upon purchase. The sphagnum would be legally and responsibly harvested in order to ensure sustainability. We have a few acres of the sphagnum in the 3rd picture so supply vs demand would all depend on how popular it is and it's re growth rate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropicat Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 im very interested! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B52 Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 I'll be intrested to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewjlamb Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Hi! I think too that's great! People will especially appreciate live sphagnum in 'polarized' bundles. I mean, with the tips at the top. Way back I went to a collectors' open day in Norwich and bought some live sphagnum from the grower. We harvested it carefully from his cultivated plants and I never looked back. Incidentally, are you making a grow-list of the mosses you have discovered on your land? This would be a great WWOOFing opportunity for the right person!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Our aim is most definitely to get the moss to the consumer in the best possible condition so we would definitely be looking to take the extra care and attention to harvest and sell it in polarized bundles rather than the moss which is sold by the bag load!!! Photos below are from a little harvest this afternoon approx. 1700g in weight and 22x17xm in size (densely packed). What sort of quantity would people be looking for and what sort of value would you put on such a bundle?? Stu as the 1st to respond to this post If you would like I am more than happy to send you this harvest!!!! We will indeed be making a grow-list of mosses. I'll post it on here as soon as we have completed it! 22x17cm 1705g 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropicat Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 looks good. i'd prefer a larger portion size since it is so slow growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatter Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 Welcome to the site.As others have said live is best.Good Luck .Keep us posted bound to be lots of interest me included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxman Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 Welcome to the forum. Live sphagnum would definitely be of interest, but not those 'Christmas trees' you have in the 2nd photo. I have enough trouble removing them from pots as it is! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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