Air Layering. An alternate to sphagnum moss?

[Sean M]

Hi all,

I went down to pretty much all the hardware and gardening stores (in Canberra) yesterday and everyone was sold out of sphagnum moss.
So my question is, has anyone used an alternate to it when doing air layering? Would something like coir or coco peat work?
Thanks in advance.

Sean

[The Specimen]

Alpineart just advised me regarding the toothpick ..

You can read his post viewtopic.php?f=104&t=8387&p=92887&hili ... um+#p92856

[Chris H]

I didn't use sphagnum anymore.
It gets stuck in the roots too much.
I have used perlite and seed raising mix. Worked a treat.

[xtolord]

have a try with perlite

[Pup]

I have used clay with success, on deciduous trees.

Cheers Pup

[shibui]

Many use split pots (so they can wrap around the branch) and potting mix. This can only be done on upright branches/trunks though and you need to pay attention so the mix does not dry out. Potting mix in place of sphagnum might be ok but I think perlite might be safer.

[Lucas Sawman]

Sphagnum moss is a garden product commonly used for its ability to retain water. It has a water-holding characteristics and stringy,. It also helps in keeping moisture near their roots without depriving them of oxygen much like its most degraded form. Coconut coir powder will do the same job, is easier to wet and has a more neutral pH. So, Coco Peat is the alternative to sphagnum moss. You can get it at- bioactivepeat.com.au

[GerhardG]

There might not be sphagnum moss on the continent I inhabit........

.....so split pots with river sand works a treat