GreenCurry Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 What do people use instead of peat ? I have read bad things about coco peat (coir). What are the alternatives or does anyone know where it is still available ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Personally Id stick with peat if you can get it - there arent really any good alternatives though you can use different mixes depending on the type of cp you're wanting to pot up. - eg heli's I find grow well in pure live moss, mexican ping mixes can have a lot less peat in if you increase the other things like perlite, seramis. Some people have used coco coir for neps but it needs to be thoroughly washed. I'm sure there have been some other threads recently about peat..... If you only need fairly small amounts try the cp suppliers on the portal page - or others like Little Shop of Horrors also sell bags of pre-mixed cp composts which I've found good. Ebay will also sells smaller amounts. If you need larger amounts then you'll need to check local independent garden centres - the bigger ones dont stock sphagnum moss peat now for ethical reasons. Most people find it quite easily although I'm struggling and have to order off the net. Make sure what you buy is pure moss peat though - not sedge peat etc. Moorland Gold can be bought online which is more ethical too as its from a sustainable source but is more expensive. You can also get bigger bags from the internet. I think you can order direct from Clover. Creative garden ideas will do free delivery if you spend £20 I think which is where I normally order from....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsivertsen Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I find that peat is too acidic for many Nepenthes, and especially many Ping's. I prefer cedar bark mulch, or cypress bark, if you can find it, mixed with perlite charcoal, and perhaps some bits of tree fern root slabs and chunks, which seems to be a fav' with the Tillansia folk. - Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenCurry Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Well I have been to many places looking peat, Willinson, Gardiner haskins, B&Q. I will be checking out two more garden centres tomorrow, whyvale and riverside but no where seems to sell peat at all, it all says "peat free". I remember when I was a kid my Dad used to buy tonnes of the stuff and it was as common as compost is now. I think I may have mentioned this but I did find "Peat pellets" do they use Sphagnum peat in these pellets ? The plants I want to repot are a venus fly trap, Nepenthes and a Cephalotus so they will all need peat I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantrid Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Try this link http://www.thecps.org.uk/content/view/53/40/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Any big chain stores like Wyvale, B&Q, Wilkinsons etc are unlikely to sell peat - you'll need to check out smaller independent centres. If you dont need much then I'd try buying it ready mixed online - postage will probably be fairly high though. You'll only find 100 or 200 litre bags in garden centres..... Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 If you add your location (not just UK) to your profile, then growers near you can tell you where they get their peat. For Neps you will need very little (if any peat). Use a mix of sphagnum moss, bark, perlite and/or a host of other things. The main requirment is good drainage and a very open airy mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulsar Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 most good garden centres will sell moss peat. rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenCurry Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Well I'm from the Bristol area. Anyone know of anywhere I can buy peat ? I don't want to buy of the internet because the shipping is ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUENOWZ1878 Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 I live in N.Ireland & you can still get Shamrock Moss Peat in most Garden Centers & B&Q ,Homebase,etc,etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Well I have been to many places looking peat, Willinson, Gardiner haskins, B&Q. I will be checking out two more garden centres tomorrow, whyvale and riverside but no where seems to sell peat at all, it all says "peat free". I remember when I was a kid my Dad used to buy tonnes of the stuff and it was as common as compost is now. I think I may have mentioned this but I did find "Peat pellets" do they use Sphagnum peat in these pellets ?The plants I want to repot are a venus fly trap, Nepenthes and a Cephalotus so they will all need peat I think. Try your local Countrywide Store. I know they sell it coz I get mine from there from time to time. Countrywide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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