Pete Bog Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Never seem to be able to obtain this stuff, but happened to wander into a large GC and they had bags of it down near the hanging basket section. On getting it home I am wondering if it is alive or dead, there's lots of cream/brown moss but the green parts which looked healthy in the bag once open now look a very unnatural colour green as though it has been dyed? I was expecting it to be a vibrant fresh mossy green this looks more like a cheap dull woodstain colour. What do you think? If its been dyed will it harm my plants? Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Some companies do dye the moss and its not a good idea to use with CPs. Others on here know more about moss than I, so I'll leave futher advice to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 If it is dyed then I would expect the colour to be all the way through the moss but you said that there are cream/blown parts. Usually the Sphagnum moss available at garden centres has dried out as it has been on the shelves for quite a while. Once re-hydrated it should start sprouting new growth after a while, if conditions are right. Does the bag have the packagers name printed on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dode Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I have used Gardman moss before with no ill effects to my plants. Apparently this moss has been dyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan P Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I use Gardman as well, and it occaisionally grows, so I assume it's alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I've used dyed moss in the past with no ill effects. Natural moss looks better when it gets going however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peabody Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I bought a small bag of obviously healthy and alive sphagnum moss on eBay. I put it in a large deep seed tray and have kept it drenched with rainwater. It is growing very well and I would think it has at least doubled in volume over the past three months. I did not realize it would grow so strongly. When I first got the moss I chopped some of it up using kitchen scissors and put it in lidded plastic containers in a shaded area but they have not been a very great success. I think it is fairly practicable to start a mini production facility to supply yourself with small amounts of moss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Jearrard Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Yes Bob, it will have been dyed, but it doesn't seem to affect it and I have never had plants affected by the dye. If you spead it out in a shallow tray and keep it wet and sunny it will slowly start to grow - and become a much more attractive green colour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Bog Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Yes Bob, it will have been dyed, but it doesn't seem to affect it and I have never had plants affected by the dye. If you spead it out in a shallow tray and keep it wet and sunny it will slowly start to grow - and become a much more attractive green colour! Thanks all for your replies, yes it is Gardman, I was worried it was just dead as a very dead thing and dyed to look alive. I bought a bigger bag than needed with the intention of getting the spare to grow. I've spread some out in trays as suggested and will keep my fingers crossed. Regards Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 I've used Gardman in the past and didn't realise it was dyed. I've notice no ill-effects on the plants I've used it with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Sorry for the miss leading first relpy. I use this stuff aswell and I had no idea it was dyed. As the others I've had no ill effects either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 I've grown several nepenthes in it for a number of years and never had problems due it being dead or dyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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