CephFan Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi, I had some live-ish spagnum in stock and some dried (NZ?) sphag in a bag but really wanted some finer stuff for seeds. Something similar to the 'No Damp Off' I have seen folk in the US using. I had a look around at prices and bought myself a 'mini food chopper' from a well known catalogue store for about £8. I had a quick try and it turned this: into this: in a few moments. I am now sure how it will cope with a mix of LPS, perlite and orchid compost but at least it has a warranty! Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bailey Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Be careful chopping Sphagnum moss in this way. Sphagnum can contain the fungus spore Sporotrichosis, which can be inhaled in the very fine dust generated with this way of processing and is not a health condition you would want to catch. As a general rule wearing plastic gloves and a face mask is recommended when handling Sphagnum moss. Lots of stuff about this on websites, including the ICPS (Barry Rice). If chopping in this way then you can reduce dust by adding a small amount of water, though add too much and it will not mill very well. Do it outside and also wear a mask, etc. Best wishes Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CephFan Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Good advice, Thanks Tim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Cornish Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Same with perlite if it's not wet as well I'm afraid. The dust from perlite is not good news if inhaled. God, who would want to grow CPs with all the health hazards involved!!! Regards Neil Edited January 28, 2014 by Neil Cornish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CephFan Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Hi Neil, I think that is silicosis is it not? I don't see any need to break up perlite as it is pretty fine anyway and I generally do my medium mixing outside then pot up in the greenhouse, by which time the it is damp and the dust risk is minimised. All good advice though, anything particulate in the lungs is not great. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little-Bacchus Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I gave milled spagnum a go with some Drosera seeds and sadly they all came up very leggy as had snaked their way around the small bits of moss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peabody Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I needed a small quantity of fine Perlite in order to mix tiny seeds into it and then use a tea strainer to sieve the mixture onto compost to try to sow the seeds evenly. It put the Perlite in a thick grade polythene bag and then stamped on it with my foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredG Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I needed a small quantity of fine Perlite in order to mix tiny seeds into it and then use a tea strainer to sieve the mixture onto compost to try to sow the seeds evenly. It put the Perlite in a thick grade polythene bag and then stamped on it with my foot. Use sand, much safer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanovich Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 I've milled some Sphagnum too for some Nepenthes seeds. It worked ok, except the Sphagnum apparently wasn't completely dead and started regrowing and overcrowding my seedlings. In regards to the Sporotrichosis spores: interestingly the fungus itself has never been found on live moss, only the spores on dried sphagnum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantrid Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Live sphaghnum has antiseptic properties so probably kills it. Sphagnum has been used as a wound dressing in the past and was very effective at stopping infection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peabody Posted April 6, 2022 Report Share Posted April 6, 2022 I am curious to know if it is a reasonable idea to boil Sphagnum peat in order to prevent carpet moss growth which swamps juvenile plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropfrog Posted April 6, 2022 Report Share Posted April 6, 2022 From what I heard and read boiling is the only safe way to kill moss spores is boiling. However, most sphagnum purshased here are well treated allready and dont grow anything from spores. I am happy every time a batch sprouts live sphagnum. Naturally I dont boil my moss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.