A surgical bandage made of Sphagnum moss, like those used in WWI. Today we will look into What is Sphagnum Peat Moss in gardening. As it grows, it spreads onto drier areas and turns those into bogs as well. What are the uses and Benefits of peat moss in your garden. And although this moss has been used as an antiseptic and antifungal agent for about 1000 years, its “secret ingredient”has recently been revealed. Peat is a product that is created from organic materials. You Can Use Sphagnum Moss to Filter Water. Peat Moss and Gardening. (National Museum of American History) Unlikely savior: The remarkable properties of spaghnum moss … It was a real lifesaver for cuts and other injuries with skin disorders, as well as burns, frostbite, fungal lesions, psoriasis. There are approximately 12,000 species of moss, but it’s only the 380 species of sphagnum moss that create peat. How Peat Moss works in an Aquarium Peat moss is the collective name given to moss that comes from genus “sphagnum”. Sphagnum moss also makes a good packing material for protecting delicate items in transit, it can be used as a cotton wool substitute and as a potting material for many species of orchid. Sphagnum moss has long been used for medical purposes. Sphagnum peat moss is composed of accumulated dark brown fibrous biomatter. Generally, people use the terms peat and peat moss alternatively. Whether the type of moss is sphagnum, Spanish, reindeer or excelsior, the crafts made are basically the same for each type and can be used interchangeably. Peat moss is an excellent soil amendment for your acid-loving plants. Difference Between Peat, Peat Moss, and Sphagnum Moss. It usually gets submerged into the peat bogs. Sphagnum Peat Moss. This is a field of sphagnum peat that is in the process of being harvested. It comes from a wetland. There are almost 400 species of peat moss. Bogs and fens form where sphagnum grows because both living and dead moss absorb and store water. They are the remains of the dead materials of wild mosses that have been piled up in a peat bog over a thousand years. Interesting fact: Up to 80% of the peat moss used in the US comes from Canada. Because of the high acidity and the antibacterial properties of sphagnum moss, it can be included in your filtration system to help filter your water. They are dead and decayed moss that accumulate over time at the bottom of bogs. The survival uses for moss are many and varied. However, these two things are not the same. Many people feel a twinge of guilt when they use peat moss in their gardening projects because of environmental concerns. Approximately 99 percent of Canada’s total national production comes from the combined operations of the 20 corporate groups that form the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA.) Florists use sphagnum moss to line wire baskets or add a decorative touch to potted plants. 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