Sphagnum moss for orchids, violets, flowers and houseplants, how to apply and use. Using moss in a summer cottage Why do you need moss in indoor plants

Quite often, sphagnum moss acts as a component of the soil mixture intended for indoor plants. And it is very rare to find an explanation for what purposes moss is used for and what, in general, is this plant? In fact, sphagnum moss has simply amazing capabilities. Why is it so good, and what is it used for?

What is sphagnum moss?

A similar plant grows to a greater extent on the northern side of the hemisphere. You can meet him in the south, somewhere in the mountains, on the plain he is extremely rare. But they say that if you're lucky, you can see this moss on the plain. But still in the north of this plant more than anywhere else. Here it is mined industrially and used in construction (excellent thermal insulation). Moss is also used in perfumery and the medical field. Because of the light color, moss also has a second name - white moss.

What are the properties of sphagnum?

Of all the other advantages, three main properties of moss can be distinguished, which are simply priceless in floriculture. These are breathability, hygroscopicity and antibacterial and disinfectant properties.

The ability of moss to pass air allows the earth mixture to remain moist and very light.

The ability to absorb moisture from the environment - here sphagnum is the undisputed leader. If we take one part of the total volume, then it will absorb much more than twenty of these. Cotton does not have such abilities. The humidification process is carried out equally. Moisture is given into the soil mixture also measured and portioned. The soil, which contains moss, will always be moderately moist and waterlogging is excluded here.

Due to its antibacterial and disinfectant properties, sphagnum has found application in the field of medicine, these qualities are so high. The triterpene compounds and antibiotics found in the moss, as well as other beneficial properties, keep the roots of indoor flowers in a healthy state, preventing them from rotting. And, in general, they protect flowers from all sorts of such troubles.

Where is sphagnum used?

Moss serves as an additional component in the composition of the earth, not only for plants with increased requirements for moisture, but also for others too. Moss added to the soil, even a small part of it, for plants such as, and many others, can help protect the grower from much of the hassle.

Even in the moss, the process of rooting cuttings is going well. For example, flower growers who are engaged in rooting leaves only in sphagnum.

Residents of the northern regions are much more fortunate in terms of the availability of sphagnum moss. They can even extract it themselves in the swamps where moss grows (white shanniks). Sphagnum is perfectly stored, it can be grown and propagated by yourself. Moss must be stored frozen, in the freezer of the refrigerator. After defrosting, it becomes alive again. Everyone else can only rely on online stores, where it is quite easy to find the necessary sphagnum moss on sale.

Sphagnum is far from the most common moss, and therefore deserves close attention and careful study. Among the rest of the forest vegetation, it stands out with a whole bunch of truly wonderful qualities. Sphagnum is swamp moss, however, to be precise, the plant does not just settle in wetlands, but it is it that creates them. In addition, peat reserves are formed from it. Today, sphagnum moss, due to its unique abilities, is actively used in medicine.

Moss-sphagnum: description and composition

White, peat moss is also popularly called sphagnum. It is a small herbaceous marsh plant, which is united under the common generic name - Sphagnum and is included in the hotel family of sphagnum or peat mosses Sphagnaceae.

Science knows many different types of sphagnum, differing in the structure of stems and leaves, as well as in size, color and habitat. If you are interested in the question of where to get sphagnum moss, then go to the swamp, where it forms a continuous unsteady carpet called turf.

Let's look at how sphagnum peat is formed and what it is. Sphagnum turf is found not only in swamps, but also in lakes. Here she floats peacefully on the surface of the water. The turf consists of many small specimens of sphagnum, which annually grow new tops, while their lower part dies off and, sinking to the bottom, eventually forms peat deposits. In such a simple way, the formation of swamps occurs.

Important! Remember: sphagnum breeds on soils with low aeration. In order to prevent the growth of moss on your site, you should organize high-quality soil ventilation.

Sphagnum has branched stems. The branches of the plant are strongly crowded at the top, but, due to the strong elongation of the internodes, as they grow, they begin to move away from each other, due to which their branches turn in different directions. As the moss matures, cavities form in the old parts of its stem.

The bark of sphagnum stems consists of several layers of large cells that are devoid of plasma and its inclusions, due to which they are able to accumulate water like a sponge, and then retain it for a long time.

This type of moss has sessile leaves, which are attached to its stems with a wide part and look very similar to tongues. The leaves are divided into oblong, large and single. Leaves growing on moss branches are narrow, slightly elongated and tiled. And their heads growing on the tops of the branches are bent. By the way, all types of moss leaves have hollow cells that can store water.

More than 300 different species of sphagnum moss are known in the world, while 40 of them live in the north of Russia, forming sphagnum bogs there. Sphagnum mainly grows in forest zones and tundra of the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, moss is found high in the mountains and is very rare in temperate climates on the plains.

Sphagnum reproduces by spores or offspring, with the second method being more common: every year one of the branches begins to develop more intensively and reaches the size of the mother plant, as a result of which it moves somewhat away from the bush and turns into an independent plant.

What substances does sphagnum contain:

• cellulose;
• triterpenes;
• sphagnol;
• coumarins;
• Sahara;
• pectins;
• phenolic acids;
• resins;
• mineral salts.

Moss-sphagnum contains a phenol-like substance - sphagnum, which has a pronounced antiseptic effect. It is due to the high content of sphagnol that this plant does not decompose even with prolonged exposure to a humid environment, which contributes to the formation of huge peat deposits.

Did you know? Residents of the northern regions of Russia put sphagnum to their babies in cradles so that the baby was warm, dry and comfortable. It was also used in the construction of beehives, to insulate the walls of houses, or as an absorbent bedding in stalls and barns.

What is useful moss-sphagnum, the use of medicinal properties

Today, sphagnum has found its wide application in both folk and traditional medicine. Sphagnum has unique healing properties.

Careful study of the plant confirmed that sphagnum moss has excellent bactericidal properties, due to the presence in its composition of coumarins, sphagnum and organic acids. In addition, it was possible to find out that it has a pronounced antifungal effect. Due to this, sphagnum moss has found its application in the treatment of purulent wounds, as well as other traumatic skin lesions. It is used as a substrate in the immobilization of fractures under extreme conditions.

Sphagnum has three very important qualities for medicine:

• high hygroscopicity;
• excellent breathability;
• antibacterial and antifungal action.

Did you know? Regular cotton wool is as much as 25% less hygroscopic than sphagnum, which retains excellent aeration even when wet.

Sphagnum has invaluable medicinal properties, which are actively used by folk healers and herbalists in their practice.

Below we will consider what diseases sphagnum helps with and how to use it correctly.

Prevention of bedsores. The hygroscopic and bactericidal properties of sphagnum are involved here. Moss has long been used as bedding for bedridden people, which prevents bedsores and unpleasant odors, as it perfectly absorbs sweat and has a powerful bactericidal effect.

Treatment of osteochondrosis, rheumatism and sciatica. Dry moss is brewed with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 10 and infused until completely cooled, after which it is filtered and poured into the bathroom, diluted with warm water. They take a bath with a decoction for no more than 40 minutes, after which they rub all the affected joints with any warming ointment, wrap them up and go to bed. Sometimes, to relieve inflammation from one or more joints, moss compresses are placed on them. To prepare a compress, you need to take a tablespoon of sphagnum and pour half a liter of boiling water, let it brew. After that, the moss should be filtered and bandages moistened with decoction should be applied to the affected joints.

For prevention ARI, SARS and influenza it is recommended to wash with infusion of sphagnum, gargle with it and rinse the nasal passages.

Use of sphagnum for the production of alcohol

Sphagnum peat is the richest source of various chemical products. Medical, wine and wood alcohol, bitumen, fodder yeast and humic acids are obtained from it.

For the preparation of alcohol, young moss peat is taken, which is converted into sugar by means of sulfuric acid under pressure in an autoclave. Then the resulting sugary solutions are fermented with yeast for alcohol. And if you believe Professor Moser, then from 100 pounds of peat you can get from 5 to 6 buckets of 90-degree alcohol.

Bactericidal properties for cuts and burns

Such beneficial properties of sphagnum moss as high hygroscopicity and bactericidal activity allow its active use in the treatment of wounds as a drug with a pronounced antibacterial effect.

The use of sphagnum moss is advisable for:

• fractures as a bactericidal and hygroscopic pad between the body and the immobilizing splint;
• superficial skin injuries such as frostbite, cuts and burns.

Did you know?It is known from historical records that sphagnum has been used for medicinal purposes since the 11th century. In the 19th century, sphagnum was sent as a dressing to all Russian provinces. Doctors of that time highly valued this plant and actively used its medicinal properties to alleviate the suffering of their patients.

For the treatment of long-term non-healing, festering wounds and ulcers, dry crushed moss should be taken, poured with boiling water until a slurry is formed, which is then applied warm to the wounds. Such compresses will be no less effective in the treatment of burns, diaper rash, bruises and frostbite. To disinfect festering wounds and ulcers, they can also be sprinkled with dry moss powder, leaving the wound in this form for several minutes, after which it is well washed with sphagnum infusion and an aseptic dressing is applied.

How moss-sphagnum is used for dermatological diseases

Moss-sphagnum can be of great benefit in the treatment of dermatological diseases. It is often used to treat nail fungus. To defeat the disease, insoles made from dried moss are put into shoes, which are not removed throughout the day.

Plants growing in swamps differ from others in their structure and properties. Moss sphagnum refers to those herbs that, having adapted to terrestrial life, have retained some features of aquatic cultures. The representative of bryophytes firmly takes its place in nature, sharing its beneficial properties with humans.

Many are familiar with peat moss - sphagnum, meeting with him while walking through the forest. When walking on a beautiful carpet of moss, your feet gently sink into it. At each step, a person feels humidity, as climbing shoots absorb moisture from the soil, air, retaining it in their cells. But moss is the material from which peat masses, brown coal have been formed for thousands of years. Sphagnum thickets play an important role in the regulation of the hydrological regime of territories.

Swamp moss sphagnum is distributed throughout the globe, but unevenly. In the tropics, he prefers mountainous terrain, and in the northern regions - damp areas of pine and spruce forests. Sphagnum is less common in the steppes. The variety of plant species, the settlement of vast territories by it - everything speaks of its great role in natural groups. It is sphagnum and other bryophytes that play an important role in regulating the processes of evaporation of moisture from the ground.

The unusualness of sphagnum is not only in the structure, but also in the useful composition that a person skillfully uses.

The development of moss occurs with a simultaneous process of growth and decomposition. While the upper part of the stems develops, stretching 1-3 centimeters, the lower part, which is under the liquid layer of soil, dies off, sinking to the bottom of the swamp over time.

Hence the variety of structure and color of moss bunches:

• The top layer of the plant is distinguished by many shades from light green, yellowish to red.
• At a depth of five centimeters are empty cells without chlorophyll, hence the presence of a pale yellow color.
• Below the water level, the moss stalks have a light brown tint.
• Dying parts of sphagnum move to the bottom of the swamp.

The abundantly branching stem of a perennial plant is interesting. Small leaves consist of thin plates covering the stem in the form of scales. Between living cells are transparent shells of the dead. They are a reservoir for retaining moisture, drawing in evaporation from the environment.

Useful properties and applications in medicine

In medicine, such a property of moss as hygroscopicity has long been appreciated. After all, it absorbs moisture twenty times more than ordinary cotton wool. In this case, the wet piece of cotton ball becomes airtight. And sphagnum breathes well even when wet. No wonder moss was used during the war years as a dressing. And surgeons in field hospitals used it to clean wounds from blood and pus.

An important property of the plant is the disinfection of wounds.

Sphagnum actively fights pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The role of antibiotics is performed by the humic acids contained in it, substances from the class of coumarins. Their pronounced bactericidal effect is detrimental to staphylococci, streptococci.

There are many ways to use sphagnum in medical practice:

1. To heal wounds, burns, moss is wrapped in gauze and applied to the affected areas.
2. With arthrosis, arthritis, baths are taken, in which an infusion of the plant is added. To prepare it, one hundred grams of dry grass is poured with three liters of hot water. After insisting for twenty to thirty minutes, the solution is filtered and poured into the bath. Such procedures are carried out twice a week for twenty minutes. In addition to treatment, water therapy sessions increase sweating, cleansing the body of toxins and toxins.
3. To prevent fungal diseases of the nail, the feet put a layer of sphagnum in the shoes.

A plant from the Bryophytes family was known for its beneficial properties from a medical point of view ten centuries ago. And until now, doctors use it in the treatment and prevention of certain pathologies.

The benefits of sphagnum moss were also appreciated by those involved in the cultivation of flowers. Use the material in different ways:

• Plant seeds germinate well in moist peat moss.
• The plant is used as an improvement in the composition of the soil when growing indoor flowers. It makes the soil loose, nutritious, moist. In addition, you can be calm about the occurrence of diseases in planted crops. They will not be afraid of any fungi or bacteria. Save plants from moss infection if you wrap them around the roots.
• For those flowers that need high humidity for full growth, wet moss is placed in the pan or placed between the walls of pots inserted into each other.
• Preserve garden flower bulbs and tubers simply by placing them in sphagnum moss.
• Rooting cuttings will be more successful if crushed moss stalks are added to the substrate.
• Dried stems are good as a covering material for those plants that are afraid of frost.
• At the heart of peat, the best fertilizer for horticultural and horticultural crops, is sphagnum moss. And for high-quality cultivation of orchids, a substrate is needed, in which, in addition to fern leaves, pine bark, charcoal, there is white moss.

The curly stems of the plant are great for weaving baskets for hanging flowers. They serve as a support for crops with aerial roots. The indispensability of sphagnum in the cultivation of garden, indoor plants was appreciated by all flower growers.

Moss can be harvested at any time of the year. They take only the upper living branches, carefully cutting them off with scissors or a knife. You can also completely remove the grass with your hands. The best place to collect sphagnum will be near trees. After collecting, the moss is squeezed out, removing the browned parts from it, cleaning it of debris and needles. Store the plant in a wet state, placing it in plastic bags and leaving it in the cold.

Dry the stalks by hanging them on hangers or laying them out on a cloth.

After that, the material is placed in paper bags, kept at room temperature. It is necessary to use raw materials within a year. You can harvest sphagnum even in winter by digging it out from under the snow. It does not lose its beneficial properties from frost.

More information can be found in the video:

moss sphagnum, as a component of soil mixtures for indoor flowers, is well known and widely used by experienced flower growers. For beginner gardeners, sphagnum is a mysterious ingredient, and therefore optional. This is partly true if you do not make earthen mixtures yourself, but use ready-made ones. There is often sphagnum moss already present. But is it really necessary? And is it possible to do without sphagnum? In order to answer these questions, you need to understand.

What is sphagnum moss and what are its properties

This is marsh moss, and can be found in old raised bogs in almost all regions with a temperate and cool climate. Although in the middle lane you have to try very hard to find such a swamp. It is quite easy to distinguish sphagnum from other mosses - it is white. Although this is not entirely true, it acquires a white color when dried, but the sphagnum moss growing in the swamp has a light green color, which also makes it easily distinguishable from other rich green mosses. In the northern regions, such swamps (white bogs) are found everywhere and it is there that sphagnum moss is mined industrially. For what? The fact is that sphagnum moss, in addition to excellent hygroscopic properties, also has other, no less remarkable properties. It is used in construction as thermal insulation, in medicine as a plant with excellent bactericidal properties. There was a use of sphagnum in perfumery. And this is not all areas of its application.

The use of sphagnum in floriculture

Florists appreciated the whole complex of unique properties of this moss.

First of all - hygroscopicity. It is difficult to find equal to sphagnum moss in terms of ability to accumulate moisture. After all, even in comparison with cotton (cotton wool), it surpasses it by 20 (!) Times. Therefore, if you add it to the earth mixture, it will remain moist for much longer. At the same time, there will be no danger of waterlogging, since, having accumulated a large amount of moisture, sphagnum moss gives it evenly, as the earth dries up. To keep the moisture of the earth in a flower pot, you can not only add moss to the ground, but simply spread it on the surface of the earth. This, among other things, will also help.

By adding sphagnum moss to the soil mixture, you will not only increase its moisture capacity, but also protect the roots of the plant from decay and fungal diseases. Its antiseptic properties simply will not allow them to develop. It has been observed that plants whose roots were injured during transplantation recover much faster and easier in soil containing sphagnum moss.

For many indoor plants, this moss is not only an antiseptic or moisture accumulator, but also a regulator (pH). Added to the soil in sufficient quantities, sphagnum moss will make it more acidic, which will appeal to violets, and many other houseplants. Sphagnum is also an integral part.

In addition to all of the above, chopped sphagnum is an excellent material for and.

Harvesting and storage of sphagnum

If in your area there is a suitable swamp on which this moss grows, then be sure to prepare it, you will not regret it. This is very easy to do and no special tools are required. All its parts are used, so you do not need to limit yourself to plucking the tops, take it completely. Before drying the sphagnum, squeeze it thoroughly from moisture and, if possible, clean it of unnecessary debris (leaves of trees, needles, twigs, etc.). You can go further in two ways. If you need "live" sphagnum moss, then it can be frozen in a freezer (or freezer). It tolerates freezing very well and comes to life after defrosting. But much more often dried moss is enough for our purposes. To dry sphagnum, it is absolutely not necessary to create special conditions, just spread it out in the sun. Such drying will not affect its properties in any way. Sphagnum moss dries for a long time, but it is not necessary to dry it completely. It all depends on the purpose for which you prepare it. If it will be used as a humidifier, then you can not bring it to a state of brittleness. If you plan to simply add moss to the earth mixture, then you can grind it first. So the sphagnum moss will dry out faster, and it will be easier to use it. Given the high hygroscopicity of sphagnum, it is desirable to store it in a dry place and in good packaging.

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Sphagnum (lat. Sphagnum)- widespread swamp moss, from the dead parts of which is formed. The properties of sphagnum are almost unique: it can hold up to 20 times its own weight in moisture and has a medically recognized antibacterial effect. In addition, properly prepared sphagnum is stored for a long time without losing its valuable qualities.

How to use sphagnum?

In the garden, garden and houseplant care, sphagnum is absolutely indispensable. It is used:

For planting and rooting. Soil with the addition of sphagnum has optimal air permeability, and the antibacterial compounds contained in sphagnum prevent root rot.

For storage of planting material and crop. Tubers, bulbs and fruits, placed in storage in layers of sphagnum, are protected from mold and rot, and the loose structure of sphagnum guarantees good ventilation.

As drainage when planting houseplants. Sphagnum can be used both in combination with expanded clay, and by itself. It is especially convenient for small pots, as it occupies a much smaller volume compared to expanded clay.

For soil mulching. Sphagnum maintains soil moisture and protects it from mold.

For storage and shipment of plants. So, rose seedlings with in the refrigerator, wrapping the roots with wet sphagnum: it prevents them from drying out. When sending plants by mail, sphagnum is used for the same purpose.

To protect the crown of roses the first time after landing. The grafting site and part of the crown are covered with wet moss, the entire crown is wrapped with wet sacking on top, then ordinary. In this state, the rose is left for several weeks. Periodically check the humidity and how the buds develop on the crown. The same stimulation helps a badly overwintered standard rose to get in shape.

As an additive to the substrate when growing indoor plants: , bromeliads and . The soil enriched with sphagnum becomes loose and breathable. The addition of sphagnum helps to give the soil a slightly acidic reaction, which is necessary for some houseplants. When growing epiphytes, sphagnum can serve as the main substrate.

How to prepare sphagnum yourself?

Sphagnum is harvested in August-September. Moss brought from the forest must be squeezed out of excess water, tangled debris and insects should be removed from it. Then the sphagnum is laid out on a litter of lutrasil or spunbond in partial shade and regularly turned over. Dried sphagnum is stored packed in a plastic bag in the vegetable section of the refrigerator or in a cool basement. Before use, it must be wetted and squeezed, it is also recommended to disinfect: sphagnum has bactericidal, but not insecticidal properties, and eggs or insect larvae may be preserved in it. For disinfection, the moss is placed in a colander and poured over with boiling water.