CHILEAN MOSS - 5 STAR SPHAGNUM MEGALLANICUM MOSS LENGTH 100MM / 70% OF PRODUCT

CHILEAN MOSS - 5 STAR SPHAGNUM MEGALLANICUM MOSS

We again expanded our sphagnum moss offering to include yet another species of moss. We now have Chilean Megallanicum moss from a very reputable source, and it's some of the finest quality moss we have ever seen coming from this region of the world.

Chilean Sphagnum Magallanicum Moss is a government regulated natural resource of Chile (decree 25 of the Ministry of Agriculture). It grows in extensive areas of an edaphic formation called “ñadi” as well as in wetlands. Ñadi is a type of soil and a phytogeographic zone of Southern Chile. Ñadi soils are located in the Chilean Central Valley of Los Lagos Region, specifically between the moraines left by the region’s most recent glaciation (VanBreemen, 1995; Villaroel et al., 2002).

Characteristics/Specifications

Chilean moss, which is composed mainly of Sphagnum megallanicum, is very different from the Sphagnum cristatum New Zealand species.

• Most notable is its coloration. This species appears visually darker with red and burgundy buds (this may give the FALSE appearance that the moss is dirty).
• This Chilean species is also Very leafy with somewhat shorter strands (fiber length avg. 8 to 14 cm), when laid side by side to Sphagnum cristatum moss, another popular species used in the plant and reptile hobby.
• Sphagnum Magallanicum Moss has a PH of 4.8 and a Moisture ratio +/- 20%. / o / – Humidity ratio +/- 20%.
• Our product is the much higher quality 5 star moss used by reptile and amphibian hobbyist. This species is a bit lighter in coloration and has a foreign matter ratio of > 1% which is why it's labeled as a 5 star product from Chile.

*All of our Chilean Megallanicum sphagnum moss products are carefully harvested from fully renewable resources.

Ordering Sphagnum megallanicum Moss from Biome Exotics

Biome Exotics carefully handles and packs your orders as they are placed. We do not store pre-filled bags on a shelf as many other sellers do. This way your product is fresh and lofty when it arrives. 

Usage and Benefits

Chilean Sphagnum megallanicum moss is commonly used in the reptile, amphibian and the plant hobby as a media. Many customers have inquired about using our Chilean moss for orchids and other plant species. Even though it can be used, megallanicum moss is often way too short and lacks the fullness of its New Zealand cousin, making it challenging to work with. This species of moss is more commonly used as an ingredient mixed in combination with other mediums to loosen up heavy clay soils while creating air pockets for beneficial biological organisms to thrive. It also helps drain water, improving drainage around plant roots, keeping them from becoming waterlogged. At the same time, it increases the soil’s ability to retain nutrients and moisture.

Sphagnum Moss is ideal for...

• Ingredient for a soil mixture
• Home Decoration
• Soil Conditioning
• To increase humidity
• Root starter

Just as with Sphagnum cristatum moss, Sphagnum megallanicum moss also contains the naturally occurring antibiotic called Tropolene, used for centuries as a wound dressing for its ability to inhibit the growth of dangerous non-beneficial bacteria and fungi.

*Because this is a naturally harvested product, it may contain small remnants of small twigs and other plant material.

Please note that this product is lightly compressed and packaged dry. Before use, it must be thoroughly moistened, which will considerably expand its weight and volume.

There are approximately 120 species of sphagnum moss found throughout the world. The physical characteristics and intrinsic qualities (i.e. chemical properties) of these different species can vary greatly. Characteristics of sphagnum moss that are of interest to most users include color, strand length, strand strength and durability, salt accumulation and chemical properties.

*Please avoid using city water straight from the tap when preparing your substrate mixtures and watering your plants. Most municipalities don’t soften water in a central location before providing it to your home. City water also contains additives like chlorine and fluoride commonly used by your local municipal treatment plant to make our drinking water safe and to keep your teeth healthy. While they make it safe for humans to drink, these additives will destroy the biological diversity of organisms that play an important role in root health and plant growth. It is best to use rain water, well water, or filtered R.O. water. If those options are not available, you can use a water dechlorinator/conditioner such as "Tetra Aquasafe" or a similar product.

Bog in Tierra del Fuego (Chile); in the foreground,
Sphagnum magellanicum habitat. Photo: by A.A. Przhiboro.

Tierra del Fuego, Chile, Patagonia. Photo: by Judy St Pierre Smith

The moss drying in its natural form.
Photo: by chilemoss.com