Story: Mosses

Sphagnum harvest

Sphagnum harvest

Because sphagnum can hold up to 25 times its own weight of water while permitting air to circulate, it is an ideal growing medium for some pot plants. Much of New Zealand’s sphagnum is exported to Japan, where it is used for growing orchids. In New Zealand sphagnum moss is sustainably harvested from swamps in the South Island.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10036941
Photograph by Chris Pugsley

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Mosses - New Zealand mosses', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10649/sphagnum-harvest (accessed 30 April 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 24 Sep 2007