Sphagnum moss grows in bogs at a rate of around 1-5 inches per year , with some deposits being as deep as 20 feet ! In such deposits , the least decomposed peat is found on the top of the bog . The material is lighter in colour and has excellent porosity . As you get closer to the bottom of the bog , peat becomes darker in colour and denser in texture .
Due to an array of unique properties favourable for cannabis growing , peat moss is popular as a standalone substrate or additive to soil mixes . Peat moss is defined by its unique physical structure that forms bogs with the decomposition of organic materials under specific conditions . While you have probably heard of peat moss before , many people don ’ t know the story behind this incredible material . If you are a cannabis grower , it ’ s definitely worthwhile learning a bit more about this unique substrate .
WHAT IS PEAT MOSS ? “ Peat moss ” is a general term used to describe different mosses that grow from the genus Sphagnum . Occurring only in specific parts of the Northern Hemisphere like Canada and the upper United States , peat moss grows in ancient bogs where it derives a very unique physical structure . In turn , peat is harvested and manufactured into different grades of horticultural substrates . Peat moss only grows in wet and low-oxygen environments of bogs . Importantly , peat moss begins as live Sphagnum moss , but slowly changes texture when the plant dies and decomposes . As dead Sphagnum moss sinks to the bottom of a bog , it undergoes a unique decomposition process in anaerobic conditions . Over millennia , Sphagnum moss eventually becomes the peat moss that is harvested for horticultural purposes .
“ After it is harvested from the bog , peat moss is screened and separated into distinct grades that are used for different purposes .”
HOW IS PEAT MOSS MANUFACTURED ? While peat moss grows naturally , many of the processes used to harvest and manufacture the material are similar to those used in traditional agriculture . The peat moss harvest process begins by draining a bog of surface water and clearing away any additional vegetation . After that , manufacturers cut long trenches in the bog to dry the material . Once the peat is properly dried in the sun and wind , manufacturers use large vacuum harvesting machines to pull the peat moss from the ground . After it is harvested from the bog , peat moss is screened and separated into distinct grades that are used for different purposes . Following the guidelines of colour and particle size , manufacturers decide the best applications for different grades from the harvest . Before moving on to the next phases of production , the peat moss is tested in the laboratory for product purity .
The final phase of manufacturing peat moss is when the material is mixed and transformed into a product sold for specific purposes . For cultivation media , this generally means mixing the peat moss with other materials like perlite , coco coir , and pine bark .
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