Shredding Sphagnum Moss?

[dbonsaiw]

Just finished repotting my airlayers from last year and I can now say first hand that combing roots out of shapgnum moss is a certain level of hell. Is there anything that can be done to make this job easier? I was thinking about shredding the moss and maybe adding some perlite (or bonsai soil if not too heavy), but not sure if that will make things easier. Ideas?

 

[JudyB]

Bonsai top dressing in 7 steps (2023 repotting guidebook)

Repotting your bonsai tree is a vital part of keeping it healthy and looking great. When you repot your tree, you will refresh the soil and add top dressing for the final touch. In this article, we will walk you through how to make the best moss mixture for a successful bonsai repotting. Why use...

treehousebonsai.com

 

[BobbyLane]

I shred the moss up, makes things a little easier.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Shred it up wet though! Because sphagnum milling specifically is known to cause serious lung infections in immunocompromised people. You know you're immunocompromised when it's too late.

Same goes for perlite by the way, the quartz particles in there are carcinogenic and hit the 0.1% dry weight danger mark.

 

[Shogun610]

Bonsai top dressing in 7 steps (2023 repotting guidebook)

Repotting your bonsai tree is a vital part of keeping it healthy and looking great. When you repot your tree, you will refresh the soil and add top dressing for the final touch. In this article, we will walk you through how to make the best moss mixture for a successful bonsai repotting. Why use...

treehousebonsai.com

That article is great , I do mill sphagnum (outside) and moss , then Ink my top dressing. Sidewalk moss has been the best. However finding an ample supply source is tricky.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Well you absolutely should wear a good mask if you needed the moss dry.

If it’s just for an air layer or spreading directly on the surface…. and want to save lots of time and cleaning up a bunch of dust… wet a batch thoroughly and then chop the sphagnum up to the consistency you desire. Really fast and best of all, dust free.

Then pour the remaining water on your favorite perennials!

As for India ink. We use this exact method at the museum.

At home this is not done…. the wetting down system seems to help the moss ”catch” and green up pretty quick. The pots all end up looking sorta like this… sometimes in multiple colors. (But without the drink )



But look out of those @#*%$$!!! randy birds….. That’s when the doughnut screens come out.

cheers
DSD sends