Where sphagnum grows what happens. Natural sponge: how sphagnum looks and is used by humans

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 industrial way and used in construction (excellent thermal insulation). Moss is also used in perfumery and the medical field. Because of 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 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. Moss contains triterpene compounds and antibiotics, as well as other beneficial features, keep the roots of indoor flowers in a healthy state, not allowing them to rot. 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.

When flowering plants did not yet exist in nature, it was already pleasing to the eye ... dinosaurs.




The forest, covered, reminds us of primitive times. Its layer of only a few centimeters creates the feeling of a dense green carpet covering everything around.

Moss superstar: classes and types

The first mosses appeared on our planet over 400 million years ago, long before flowering plants. Like, these plants reproduce by spores. There are about 18,000 moss species grouped into three classes.

liver mosses

The oldest of them - liver mosses. The most famous member of this group is blepharostomy hairy (Blepharostoma trichophyllum) with its characteristic flat, spreading shape. Most liverwort mosses have both stems and true leaves.

Blepharostomy hairy most often grows on the soil, as well as on deadwood, stumps and stones along the banks of streams and rivers, forming dense or loose, mixed with other bryophytes, turfs and even whole carpets.

A large class is also bryophytes. They are all divided into orders according to the structure of their stems, leaves and the way they are fixed in the soil. Mosses form "pillows" from millimeters to several centimeters high, and sometimes cover huge territories a dense lawn of living plants and their dead parts with a layer up to 1-3 m thick or more.

Anthocerotus mosses

The second no less extensive class - mosses, outwardly resembling "liverworts". They got their name from Greek words anthos - flower and keros - horn, since the form of plants is a dark green lamellar rosette (thallus) with a diameter of 1-3 cm, tightly adjacent to the soil, and numerous horn-shaped outgrowths (sporogony) up to 2-3 cm high.

It belongs to one of the most common species. In the forest it can cover very large areas, but in inhabited places, on the walls and roofs of houses, he also has a place. The picture clearly shows long stems with spore boxes.

moss cuckoo flax looks like a branch coniferous plants. Its length can reach up to 15 cm, it is cuckoo flax that often lines the soil in the forest.

Wall tortula forms small pillows and grows on limestone stones, including on the walls of houses made of such material.

In some mosses, the spore boxes sometimes look like flowers, such as this one. juniper-like polytrichum.

Cirriphyllum hairy (Cirriphyllum piliferum) forms loose light green tufts. It prefers calcareous soil rich in nutrients. Cirriphyllum can be found in forests and bushes. However, he also has a place in the garden.

Hylocomium brilliant ( Hylocomium splendens) most often found in forests, although meadows, roadsides and quarries often give it shelter. In the process of growth, it forms cascades, consisting, as it were, of separate floors.

Sphagnum hairy (Sphagnum capillifolium) grows primarily in swamps and wet forests. Plant height does not exceed 20 cm. This moss can be whitish-green, brown, reddish or yellow.

Sphagnum grows in the Northern Hemisphere, where its many species are represented. In some places, its industrial production has already been organized. The plant is of great value for the production of perfumes, medicines, as well as thermal insulation in the construction of buildings. In addition, sphagnum is widely used in floriculture, due to its good absorbency.

Swamp sphagnum: moss description and useful composition

Sphagnum (or peat moss) refers to perennial herbaceous plants, in fresh usually pale green in color. Forest and Siberian species mosses have a more intense coloration. When dried, the sphagnum discolors and turns white, which is why it is sometimes called so.

The stem of the sphagnum is branching, protruding and thin, up to 20 cm high. The branches themselves go in clusters, the leaves are small, have cells, soft and sessile, most importantly, not to be confused with marchantia. Unlike other varieties of mosses, sphagnum has practically no thin filaments consisting of one kind of cells.

Sphagnum very well absorbs minerals and water with its loose surface. A peat layer is formed from the root system. The plant looks very interesting under a microscope.

Mosses are made up of:

• Fiber;
• Sugars and proteins;
• triterpene compounds;
• pectin substances;
• mineral compounds.

During harvesting, the entire living part of the plant is collected and used. Plants are harvested from May to September in sunny, dry weather. Sphagnum is harvested by hand, pulling it out of the reservoir, after squeezing it out.

dried moss thin layer in the sun in a well-ventilated place.

The drying process is rather slow, after which its green parts turn white. Dried sphagnum is stored in polyethylene or paper bags. The shelf life of such raw materials is up to 1 year.

Moss: medicinal properties of a marsh plant

Sphagnum has three important properties that have found application in medicine today. The high hygroscopicity of the plant and the special cellular structure make it possible to use moss as a dressing. he can absorb a large number of pus, blood, plasma.

Unlike cotton wool, sphagnum has properties:

• Disinfectants;
• Antibacterial;
• Antifungal.

This effect is achieved due to the fact that the composition contains substances such as sphagnum and humic acids. The bactericidal properties of moss can be used for frostbite, burns, cuts.

With fractures, sphagnum will be excellent tool as a splint in first aid.

There is a lot of evidence that moss found its use as a dressing material for humans as early as the 11th century. Today, its properties have been proven, which are much more effective than cotton wool.

Moss sphagnum: what is it used for and methods of application

For the production of sphagnum-gauze tampons, the moss is pre-sterilized, then impregnated with an alcohol solution boric acid. This greatly enhances the antibacterial properties of the dressing. Moss does not need to be sterilized for home use.

Many cases are described in history that during the war, sphagnum saved when there was neither cotton wool nor iodine at hand.

The ambient air contains a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, including pathogenic flora. If the immune system is weakened or frequent allergies are present, then contact with the skin and mucous membranes may cause various diseases. As a fight against such consequences, you can use a sphagnum solution.

Cooking:

• Collect moss in the swamp;
• Wring out well;
• Wash the diseased and affected areas with the resulting liquid.

Such water can also be used to prevent complications after cuts and abrasions.

In addition to lotions, you can take a warm bath with sphagnum. Moss is cut into small pieces, all this is poured very hot water, let it brew. All this is then poured into the bath. After such procedures, sweating improves significantly and blood circulation processes improve.

The antifungal properties of sphagnum are used for mycosis of the skin, including the feet.

So sphagnum insoles are considered an excellent remedy. Preparing them is very simple - put a little dry moss into everyday shoes. Another plus is that the insole is soft and very comfortable. In addition, dry sphagnum copes well with increased sweating.

Human use of moss for plant care

Sphagnum is very good at keeping other plants fresh when used as a wrapping material. Such moss can be added to various soil mixtures. It is great for some plants. As a fertilizer, sphagnum is cut into small pieces and poured into the soil when planting. In addition, such a layer is laid out on a layer of soil in pots for better filtering of hard water. Periodically, such a “filter” needs to be changed.

Humidity can be well increased by placing sphagnum in the empty space of a wall flower pot.

Moss will save your plants if you have a long trip ahead. Flower pots are wrapped on all sides with moss, and sphagnum is also laid out on the surface of the soil. In conclusion, everything is tightly covered with polyethylene.

At spring planting in open ground used for such crops:

• Pumpkin;
• Nightshade.

To do this, small "nests" are made of moss. Thanks to such manipulations, the seeds feel comfortable and protected for a long time.

How sphagnum moss is applied (video)

Thanks to their unique properties sphagnum is used in medicine, construction and plant growing enthusiasts. The plant is very unpretentious, it can be found in forests and swamps. The collection and preparation of the plant is simple. Describe to your loved ones appearance plants so that after your next forest walk, sphagnum will appear in your home.

Sphagnum moss is a branched monoecious plant, a representative of white mosses.

Distributed in the taiga, in the tundra, in swampy areas.

Did you know?The largest number of sphagnum grows in temperate climate zone northern hemisphere of the Earth, the greatest diversity - in South America.

Moss sphagnum - what is it

Peat moss is a swamp plant from which peat is formed. Spore perennials grow every year in the upper part, dying off in the lower part. It is easy to answer how sphagnum peat moss feeds. The plant absorbs water, photosynthesizes, forms organic substances from water and oxygen. Water storage cells are located on the stem and leaves, surrounded by dark green photosynthetic cells, united in a single network. Sphagnum moss has a stalk and a spore box. It is sphagnum that plays an important role in swamping forests and turning lakes into swamps. Where sphagnum moss grows (most often coniferous or broad-leaved forests), humidity is increased.

Useful properties of moss for indoor plants

Sphagnum moss has been widely used in horticulture and floriculture due to a wide range of valuable properties. Flower growers are interested in what substances sphagnum contains. Peat moss contains phenolic substances, triterpene compounds, sugars, salts, pectins. Moss prevents the appearance of pus in wounds, it is often used as a dressing that does not need to be sterilized before use.

Did you know? It has a huge suction capacity, surpasses even cotton wool in this.

Useful properties of moss- perfectly passes air, resists bacteria, has a disinfecting and antifungal effect.

How to use sphagnum moss in home floriculture

The use of sphagnum moss in gardening will help to avoid many problems with the soil. It is necessary to cut the moss and add it to the substrate, which will loosen the soil, increase its moisture capacity, and form the desired structure. It will also take the accumulated water after watering, giving it to the roots. Sphagnum moss is a branched perennial. and understand what a plant is can waterlog the soil.

Important! Sphagnum increases the acidity of the soil; in the mixture, its volume should not exceed 10%.

Sphagnum moss is very useful for indoor plants. By lining the pot with moss, you can maintain the correct level of moisture around the crown, but do not keep it constantly on the surface of the soil, so as not to provoke the death of the roots. For Saintpaulia, a mixture of 1 part of leafy soil, fertile garden soil, river sand and chopped sphagnum. Gloxinia will benefit from a mixture of Vermion earth, charcoal, 1 teaspoon dolomite flour and a handful of chopped sphagnum with the addition of perlite or vermiculite.

Orchids will thank the owner for a mixture of pine bark, charcoal and finely chopped fern roots. Down you need to put a large rough bark, on top - a medium size. Try to make sure that the substrate fits under the base of the rhizome, but does not completely overlap it. Sphagnum moss may not have the desired effect without knowing how to use it. Before use, sphagnum mosses need to be scalded, brought to room temperature, wring out and leave in a closed plastic bag for several days.

How to prepare peat moss

Remembering where sphagnum lives, it is worth thinking about choosing suitable place. The best place for collecting moss - in the immediate vicinity of the trees, where it has the least amount of wateriness, swampy terrain is not suitable. There are several ways to collect moss: either completely extract it with roots, which will entail further thorough cleaning, but the volume of harvested raw materials will be larger, or by cutting off the upper part with a knife, but the resulting material will be many times less. You can collect and stack peat moss in bunches. Sphagnum must be harvested by hand.

The ambiguous opinion about the use of sphagnum mosses with many beginners is confusing - what it is for and if needed, how to use it and where to put it.

The fact is that some flower growers associate its use with diseases gentle and demanding to the conditions and an exotic tropical pet.

To determine this, it is necessary to understand the biological benefits and harms of this component. After all, its incorrect use can lead to sad consequences for the flower.

This is perennial herbaceous plant , which has a number of names: white, peat and sphagnum. The peculiarity is that he does not have a root system, but only a branching, low thin stem. If a top part plants are not limited in growth, then the lower one tends to die off over time, turning into peat.

At the same time, the upper part does not rot, as it contains sphagnol, which has bactericidal and wound healing properties.

Photo of sphagnum moss.

• for intensive moisture absorption;
• the ability to evenly moisten the soil;
• long-term moisture retention;
• antibacterial properties.

Varieties

More than 380 varieties of sphagnum have been recorded in the database "The Plant List":

• close;
• narrow-leaved;
• Baltic;
• hairy;
• compact;
• brown;
• fringed;
• floodplain, etc.

More than 40 species grow in Russia.

A huge number of varieties does not mean that any of the species can be used in agricultural technology when growing orchids.

It is white peat that is mainly used by orchid flower growers. In terms of its characteristics and properties, it is very similar to sand. It transforms the soil into a lighter structure, loose and hygroscopic. Improves the quality of any soil.

Among lovers of exotic floriculture, he has earned the attention of the ability to intensively absorb moisture and evenly distribute it over the surface. The ability to retain moisture for a long time brings the growing conditions closer to more natural ones.

The use of mosses by flower growers is based on good hygroscopicity and especially warning. It is these useful properties that are the main factors of application, not counting its decorative effect.

Sphagnum is widely used in orchid growing.

More orchid growers use New Zealand moss, which has a larger and looser fiber structure which provides greater breathability. The disadvantage of this material is its rarity in shopping malls and flower shops.

Beneficial features

Soil looseness

Similar in characteristics to sand, cut moss gives the soil mixture lightness and friability. Especially importance this is when rooting plants and germinating babies, shoots, and so on.

Important! You should be aware that adding material to the soil increases its acidity. Therefore, its volume should not exceed 10% of the soil volume.

Retention and absorption of excess moisture

When examining sphagnum under a microscope, one can see that the stem and core are composed of parenchymal cells and lignified cells.

At the same time, the outer shell of the stem is made up of layers of dead cells, which form many through pores. It is they have the ability to easily absorb moisture and give excellent hygroscopicity.

The ovate leaves do not have a midrib. Half of the cells is occupied by chlorophyll, and half by spiral thickenings with aquifers. Due to them can absorb moisture in excess of its own weight by more than 20 times.

Absorption of harmful salts

In containers with orchids upper layer Evaporating soil deposits harmful calcium and magnesium salts, which further leads to salinization of a large part of the substrate. Salinity begins to inhibit the plant and affects its development.

Using moss as a mulch helps avoid a quick process.

The use of sphagnum as a mulch prevents soil salinization.

Bactericidal properties

Ever since the 11th century sphagnum moss used as dressing material. During all the wars, it was used for dressings without any wound treatment. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the bactericidal properties are provided by the polyhydric alcohol sphagnol, which is part of the composition. Exactly phenol-like substance provides protection to the plant from fungal diseases.

Features of the plant and its life cycle

This is perennial spore plant that does not have a root system. In the process of development and growth, they form straight shoots that do not have branching, which are collected in a dense turf resembling "pillows".

Instead of a stem, phyllidia and caulidia are formed. The gaps that form between the elements have the ability to absorb moisture, which ensures the life cycle.

In addition to phyllidia, which consist of only one cell layer, there is a third element. These are rhizoids, which formally are the root part. The thinnest threads of rhizoids branch very strongly and absorb moisture from the soil layer. One of their features is that over time, the absorption process stops, and the rhizoids perform only the function of a support.

The life cycle is based on the alternation of the sexual generation with the asexual. Gametophyte - a sexual generation that has male and female gametes that give rise to asexual sporophytes. The gametophyte is a photosynthetic green plant.

The sporophyte is a spore generation that feeds on the gametophyte. Each sporophyte cell has a double set of chromosomes, while gametes have only one. The development of the sporophyte occurs due to cell division in the process of meiosis. The result of the process is a spore, but having a sex, becoming a single gametophyte. This is how it goes constant, endless, life cycle.

Life cycle of sphagnum.

How to use?

In the soil

Moss at times increases the moisture capacity of the substrate. 1 part of the dried component, capable of absorbing more than 20 parts of water, which is 4 times higher than even the absorption properties of hygroscopic cotton wool. Drying, the cells brighten due to filling with air. Hence the name "white moss".

Many flower growers, especially in dry rooms, add it to or soil. But when added to the soil, it should be cut into a large fraction and used no more than 10% of the total soil volume.

Before use, it is soaked in warm water to remove unwanted insects. Then squeeze and cut. It is better to dry the moss before use.

It is carried out with a small amount of water, with further complete drying of the material. Do not delay watering after drying, in order to avoid pupation of the roots.

With knowledge and experience, children can be grown in pure sphagnum.

Attention! It can be combined with bark, strictly following the rate and sequence of watering.

Terms of Use

Some flower growers are not happy with the result of using sphagnum, referring to a stop in the development of orchids or rotting of the root system.

This happens due to incorrectness and ignorance of the biological structure:

• watering should be carried out with a small amount of water;
• withstand the next watering until completely dry;
• do not allow completely dried moss to remain without watering for a long time;
• provide sufficient lighting;
• avoid connection with the root neck;
• do not compact the layer.

Do-it-yourself mining and harvesting

Sphagnum moss can be found in swampy areas where it forms pillow-like peat clumps. In the northern hemisphere, it is mainly found in the tundra, and in the southern hemisphere on the slopes of the mountains. and very rarely on flat terrain in the forests of the middle zone.

You can not use freshly prepared material. Only its upper part is cut off so that new shoots can form from the lower part remaining in the soil.

Treatment

Before using it should be treated with boiling water or put in for a while warm water to destroy all kinds of pests: ants, slugs, insects, etc.

Dried should also be treated with boiling water, and then on 4-5 days put in plastic bag until the pests are completely eradicated.

Before use, dry moss is scalded and left in an airtight bag.

Drying

Is it possible:

Use live moss?

Some experienced growers it is not recommended to use fresh, live moss as a component of the substrate, since it is believed that it has an acidic environment and does not contain nutrients. But this is not entirely true. Depending on the place of growth, it can have both a neutral and slightly alkaline environment.. In addition, it may contain a large amount of phosphorus.

In addition to phosphorus, living material may contain large amounts of bicarbonate, sodium and chlorine. Therefore, before use, it should be soaked for 30-40 minutes. But in this case, not only unnecessary substances are lost, but also phosphorus.

Before use, sphagnum should be soaked.

Live sphagnum serves more for aesthetic perception, while processed and dried sphagnum absorbs moisture better and distributes it evenly over the entire surface of the container.

Use moss that grows in the forest?

Moss growing in the forest is cuckoo flax. You can use it, but it is stiffer and does not absorb moisture as well. Not so long can retain water in itself, like sphagnum. Basically, some flower growers add it to sphagnum moss. Moss for orchids from the forest does not have such a significant effect on the shift of salts in the substrate.

Transplant an orchid into moss?

In this case, you will have to strictly monitor the order and timeliness of additional nutrition. The moss does not contain the nutrients necessary for the full development of the orchid and the plant pumps moisture out of it very quickly. The main use of one moss, as soil, used mainly for orchids and germination and shoots.

What to replace?

This is depends for what purpose it is used. If to increase humidity, then it can be replaced by placing a tray or container of water next to the plant. If you increase the moisture capacity of the soil, then use high-moor peat, or palm fiber. But at the same time, the properties of the antiseptic are lost.