PEAT, All you need to know.....

[Ben]

I found this on the web, awesome site with ALL your questions answered about peat!


http://hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/peat%20page.html

[Proteus]

Excellent link Ben

Thanks

[lesley]

great page Ben

[DR.V]

hmm too complicated heheh

[slabba]

Thanks Ben

[Ben]

I was just researching some more easily avialable brands of peat and SEARLES company just got back to me. Here is some infomation:




PEAT MOSS
(SPHAGNUM PEAT)

• High Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
• Very High Water Holding Capacity
• Resistant to decay
• Helps to loosen and aerate heavy clay soils, which leads to the stimulation of root growth, by forming channels for root hairs.
• Provides humus to promote healthy plant growth.
• Contains humic acid, which is essential for plant growth.
• Void of Major plant pathogens such as: Phytophthora sp., Pythium sp. and Chalara elegans.

WHAT IS PEAT MOSS?
Peat is a term, which applies to a type of soil formed from partially decomposed mosses or sedges which, accumulate in bogs over a period of hundreds or thousands of years. Although the term “peat moss” is widely used, it is not correct. The correct designation should be “moss peat,” which indicates those peats formed from moss plants. Sphagnum peat is the preferred peat of most greenhouse operators because of its high water holding capacity, adequate air space, high cation exchange capacity and resistance to decay (Henley & Ingram 1989). Sphagnum peat is formed under acid waterlogged conditions, and is the partial decomposition of sphagnum moss and sedges. Due to the absence of nutrients and microorganisms that would normally decompose the plant most of the plant fiber structure is preserved.

THE BENEFITS OF PEAT MOSS
Although peat moss does not contain nutrients, it does have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC). The CEC is an indication of the attraction for cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4+ and Na+, holding them by the particles making up peat moss. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) is an important mechanism, which helps to absorb nutrients added to or present in the soil, releasing them over time, as the plants require. This saves valuable nutrients, which are otherwise lost through leaching and helps growers manage fertiliser applications better.

Peat Moss has a high water holding capacity due to the small pore space it creates. The small pore space peat moss provides causes water to rise upwards through the media by capillary action giving a more even distribution from top to bottom of the container. Much of the water in the peat is loosely held and easily exploited by the plant. However when dry it becomes hydrophobic. This is because peat moss shrinks as it dries and water applied at the surface runs down the sides of the container. This is over come by using Penetraide re-wetting granules.

SOME APPLICATIONS OF PEAT MOSS
Rose Beds: Roses like rich organic soils. Spread a 10cm layer of peat, mixed with fertilizer, around base of rose bush, then cultivate into the soil to a good depth. This cultivation should be done each spring, followed with mulch around base to hold moisture and prevent baking of soil.
Acid-loving Plants: Because peat moss is naturally acidic, it makes an ideal base mixture for such plants as rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias, laurel, azaleas, ericas and evergreens.
Transplanting: Into hole dug for tree, put ½ bucket of wet peat moss and mix with soil. Work the mixture in well around the roots of the tree. Cover roots with a mixture of soil and peat to half-remaining depth of hole and fill in rest with soil. A small amount of dolomite and lime may be beneficial except for evergreens and acid loving plants.
In Compost: Sphagnum peat moss can improve the composting process by speeding up the decomposition. Peat moss also retains water and reduces leaching of nutrients in the soil. Because of its acidity, peat moss will trap and save valuable nitrogen sources that are often lost from compost heaps as ammonia, which is the major cause of odors in compost piles. By blending peat moss and compost together you combine the physical property of peat moss with the provided nutrients of compost. Therefore the combination of the two can allow more water, air and nutrients to reach plant roots, and also help to retain moisture in garden beds, allowing gardeners to water less frequently.

[Ben]

some technical data:


TECHNICAL DATA

pH 3.4 – 3.9 Phosphorus 0.3mg/l
EC 0.10 Potassium 4.3mg/l
Air Filled Porosity (AFP) 9.1% Sulfur <2.8mg/l
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) 133 meg/100g Calcium <8.0mg/l
Total Water Holding Capacity (WHC) 80% Magnesium 14.1mg/l
Moisture Content 40% +/- 10% Iron 4.5mg/l
Weight (dry weight) 100g/l Sodium 13.6mg/l
Organic Matter Content 95 – 98% Copper <0.4mg/l
Ash Content <2% Chloride 13mg/l
Toxicity Index 18 Zinc 0.7mg/l
Nitrogen Drawdown Index 1.06 Manganese 0.5mg/l
Ammonium 4.9mg/l Boron 0.02mg/l
Ammonium & Nitrate 6.9mg/l Sticks or Woody Material 0.2%