Sphagnum, dead or alive?!

So we find two kinds of sphagnum moss around the nurseries, the dry and the green.
And most articles about the use of Sphagnum - Around airlayers, on top of the soil, in a mix to seedlings and so on - those articles never say which kind is the one they are talking about.
So the questions: what's the difference (besides one being alive of course!) and what are the most common uses for one or the other?

Ha, not sphagnum ------------- cocoa moss.
That is what we use for airlayers.

The moss that we have for display on the bonsai [ as a lawn ]
will also work.
It also keeps trees over wet [ so for exhibition only ]

Have fun in your technologically advanced world - teasing.
Good Day
Anthony

Anthony said:

Ha, not sphagnum ------------- cocoa moss.

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Aha!
BUT we do have coconut dry moss!
But I still have to try it...

Anthony said:

Have fun in your technologically advanced world - teasing.

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I am having a LOT of fun, @Anthony !

Now you are frightening me
Even our coconut trees at the beach cannot grow moss and that is next to the sea.
I will visit in an astronaut's suit.
Must have cool moving air or I die.
Good Day
Anthony

Live is better. It contains some kind of hormones that promote rooting. I would never buy it though. There's almost certainly some growing wild close to you.

Sphagnum moss plays several important functions for the ecosystem, amongst which water purification and retention are probably the most important. Not sure, but I think dead sphagnum will not do the former. So, live sphagnum may be better as it not only retains water (which may or may not be desirable) but also purifies water. Maybe especially important when using some sources of tap water?

Is cocoa moss really moss or the fibers of the coconuts? I've read that the latter is hydrophobic so really not that great for bonsai purposes...

Abraço

Gustavo Martins said:

Sphagnum moss plays several important functions for the ecosystem, amongst which water purification. Maybe especially important when using some sources of tap water?

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Gustavo, my Calliandras seem to love the live Sphagnum on the soil. Live sphagnum, and yes, we have hard water here, I hope they can help.

Gustavo Martins said:

Is cocoa moss really moss or the fibers of the coconuts? I've read that the latter is hydrophobic so really not that great for bonsai purposes...

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I was wrong in my info to @Anthony above; I meant coconut fibres and not coconut moss.
They are use extensively here to grow orchids and as a helper in substrates mixes. I have never used them myself.

Clicio said:

Gustavo, my Calliandras seem to love the live Sphagnum on the soil. Live sphagnum, and yes, we have hard water here, I hope they can help.



I was wrong in my info to @Anthony above; I meant coconut fibres and not coconut moss.
They are use extensively here to grow orchids and as a helper in substrates mixes. I have never used them myself.

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I think it also lowers pH but not sure...

What they call - coco peat.

Will compost in a couple of months in use. Tried it, but prefer the home made
compost.
Good Day
Anthony