I too, have just received in a shipment of 5-star Chilean sphagnum for my
own use and for resale, and it is far more compressed than I have EVER seen
in the past. A 5 kg bale is about 11" x 12" x 13". I pried off a 1 kg
slab, sprayed it with hot water, and ended up with about three or more cubic
feet of the cleanest, fluffiest stuff I've seen in years.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"V_coerulea" wrote in message
.. .
Yes, Keith. That's what I'm talking about. My 10 Kg bale was about
18"X18"X24"; bone dry, compressed; great stuff! I've seen, and
occassionally purchased, bales of much lower quality for lining baskets.
It was darker colored, more fragmented, and had a lot of sticks and other
junk in it. This stuff is manna from heaven. It's so evenly layered, I can
peel off a 3/8" (1cm) layer to line a basket with dry. It's so much easier
to do that way than when the moss is already wet. Fill the basket, water,
then plant when the moss is expanded.
Gary

"kenty" wrote in message
...

"V_coerulea" wrote in message
. ..
I just received a bale of Chilean sphagnum and I'm extremely pleased with
it, including the price. It's top quality, blond (light colored) moss and
it cost just $72 for a 10Kg bale. Shipping was only $7 from FL to me in
SC. I use it mostly in clay pots with oncidium intergenerics,
cool-growing miltonias and masdavilleas. It's the only way I've managed
to successfully keep some of these doing well in our summer heat. It's
also, of course, a great basket liner. I've been paying $20+/Kg for
individual packages from well-known orchid suppliers. I don't know the
price of their 1Kg package (or their larger bales), but if you're growing
some of your orchids in moss you owe it to yourself to check out this
place. Drop me a note and I'll be glad to forward the email address, web
site, and contact info for the FL supplier.
Gary
Gary,Have you ever tried the dried bales of sphag moss.You soak what you
want in water it expands & fluffs up ready to use.It is excellent stuff!
Cheers Keith