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Do I moisten Sphagnum Moss for cuttings

Just bought Sphagnum Peat Moss from Walmart and it seems dry,

do I moisten a little or a lot and place cutting onto it ??? Also bought
plastic shoe box type to place all this in. Also place all in Dark or
dim light or indirect light.  Thanks Alot.
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moisten so it is damp to the touch, not wet or soggy,
put it in a dark warm place
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Thank You,

I am a Newbie and hopefully soon I will
become a veteran.....LOL
How long does the Newbie tag stay on??? LOL
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Peat is decomposed and not the sphagnum moss everyone is using in their shoeboxes these days. Peat is used in most potting mixes so you might be fine and experimenting is fun anyway.
If you can get your hands on this stuff you will avoid some newbie "confimed kills" ; )

The sweet thing about good long fibered sphagnum moss is that you can wet it and then squeeze all the extra water out and then it is perfectly moist and fluffy with lots of air getting to the cuttings. There are also volatile compounds in fresh moss that inhibit mold growth. Peat moss can actually be loaded with mold spores though because it decomposes much faster.
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I don't want to beat a dead horse but...


Spend some extra money on New Zealand Sphagnum Moss from eBay or Amazon.

You will be rewarded. It's abit expensive but I find it can be reused. I soak it overnight and then wring it out until only a few drops of water come out.

Canadian Peat Moss can be used with success but is messy and doesn't provide good air circulation. I find the New Zealand stuff speeds up rooting time by 1 to 2 weeks or so.
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Thank You All for the valuable information.

I have had some success in old style baggie method.
I have lost alot too, could be many factors. Thanks Again
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i'm still a newbie.  always something out there you don't know yet.  ;)
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Good points,
sphagnum moss is the stuff growing on top of the bog,
sphagnum peat moss is the moss that has lived and died and started to decompose.
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I have actually seen New Zealand Spagnum Moss sold at the Petsmart/Petco for reptiles.. It is in the reptile isle.

 

I would assume you could use this if you did not want to buy online? Any thoughts on that?

 Here it is on the Petsmart site

 

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3678493

 
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