Subject: Re: Peat

From: [email-masked] (Amy L. Bachhuber)
Date: 20 May 1996 10:36:04 -0400

Frank Bridges ([email-masked]) wrote:
: What is the difference between Peat Moss and Peat Humus ( as sold at
: plant stores) 
: 

Although I can not be absolutely sure my guess is as follows...

Peat moss implies that the Sphagnum has been dried and packaged for sale.

Humus refers to partially decomposed organic matter so I would guess that
the peat humus is partially decomposed.

The main thing that peat is used for in potting soil is to increase the
H2O holding capacity of the soil (through the amazing water holding
capacity of the hyaline cells in peat).  If this is what you are looking
for, the plain peat moss would do the trick.  Humus may contain some
compounds that aid in plant growth, but it may also bind compounds the
plant needs making them unavailable for growth.

I hope this helps with your question ;-)

Amy L. Bachhuber 
([email-masked])
Biological Sciences
Michigan Technological University

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From: [email-masked] (Frank Bridges)
Date: Sun, 19 May 1996 22:07:46 GMT

What is the difference between Peat Moss and Peat Humus ( as sold at
plant stores)