Sphagnum Moss For Flowers, Animals And Gardens

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

A plant that can cure many problems, including various diseases, is sphagnum moss. A story about its properties and methods of application

What is sphagnum moss

The amazing sphagnum plant has a lot of advantages. This natural peat derivative is often called "white moss", "cuckoo flax". Sphagnum is a moss that does not have horses; it grows with its upper shoots, keeping itself on the previous "floor". The lower part is constantly dying off and, without decaying, is transformed into peat. Decay does not occur due to the density, which blocks the access of oxygen and the composition, in which the presence of the bactericidal substance "sphagnol", a natural antiseptic, has been established. And also humic acids are present, which manifest themselves as an antibiotic.

The plant is structured like a sponge, highly hygroscopic. Exceeds the absorbent properties of cotton by 25 times, that is, it can absorb water 20 times more than its mass. The properties of sphagnum are used in medicine and in other fields.

This moss is well known in horticulture, floriculture and horticulture. Seedlings are grown on it, it is added to the soil. Peat, obtained on the basis of sphagnum, is a valuable raw material for chemical production, and also participates in the preparation of medical alcohol.

The use of sphagnum

First of all, sphagnum is an ornamental plant, pleasant looking, capable of decorating any territory. Especially effective for edging paths, flower beds. Indispensable for growing orchids and other plants. It is enough to fill any container or niche in the wall with moss and add a little earth to the bottom. This is enough for the growth of almost any flower, only watering will be needed.

In the garden, growing moss helps fertilize the soil, neutralize infections, bacteria and molds. When you add sphagnum to the soil mixture, you will get healthy seedlings of tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables. It will disinfect the soil and guarantee the quality of the seedlings. Also, water for irrigation, infused with moss, will help solve problems with diseases that have arisen in the garden. Leaves, stems and the ground are cultivated with it. When propagating, it is used as an antiseptic for covering cuttings (open ground, pot plantings).

Florists lay moss in a substrate to retain moisture, and are used to grow young offspring. To do this, fresh shoots are cut or torn into small fragments. Such a mixture is especially beneficial for the cultivation of gloxinia, orchids, violets, and Saintpaulias.

Beekeepers use dried pressed moss to insulate the walls of the hive for wintering. Placed on the bottom to normalize humidity, to disinfect the internal space. Dry raw materials absorb condensation, and when dry, it releases moisture, moisturizing the hive. This fact helps to maintain a healthy atmosphere, and the honey in the combs remains in excellent quality.

For pets, moss is an ideal bedding material. When dried, they are stuffed with mattresses for dogs and cats. Give to hamsters and rats for making nests in aviaries. Moss is excellent at masking unpleasant odors from pets, including cat litter and guinea pig cages.

In construction, sphagnum is indispensable in saunas for regulating humidity fluctuations. In houses, it fits between the logs as an environmentally friendly insulation. It is also appreciated for protecting the frame from decay.

For medical purposes, moss is used as an antiseptic for cuts and purulent wounds. In a crushed form, it is applied under a bandage for burns and frostbite. Baths with moss or with the addition of sphagnum infusion help with psoriasis and other infectious lesions. Dry mass insoles eliminate unpleasant foot odor, while trays help fight perspiration.

How to prepare moss

Sphagnum grows everywhere, so there will be no problems with searching in the middle lane. When preparing, you need to follow the rules.

• Do not pull out with the entire lower part, only the green mass is needed.

• Collecting is carried out with scissors.

• Leave some of the young shoots for further growth.

• Before drying, you should get rid of insects and larvae: scald with boiling water.

• Drying takes place in the sun with good ventilation.

• To create decorative compositions, it is only wilted and placed in the freezer for storage.

• A well-dried product is placed in a paper or canvas / linen bag.

If you are a city dweller and do not go out into nature, you can use the services of an online store. Also, moss is sold in private ads, on forums, orchid lovers. Now you know how useful white moss is and how you can use it.