It is long fibered sphagnum moss. If you're going to work with it, wear gloves.

Actually, sedge peat contains very little, if any, sphagnum. It's a mucky mix, comprised mostly of decomposing sedges, reeds, cattails & marsh grasses. It forms in the shallow areas of open water & continues to build as generation after generation of these plants die & partially decompose. It's mined extensively here in MI (where it's called Michigan Peat) and in Minnesota, where I don't know what the heck they might call it. ;o)

Al

Sorry, got a little confused about what you are asking. The stuff used in muck is long fibered sphagnum moss. Sedge peat isn't really applicable.

Just joined. I am attempting to do a group planting. I am aware there is a "peat muck" used to hold the soil in place. Would appreciate information how I can make this muck. Thank in advance. Matt2006

In my opinion Sedge Peat, aka Michigan Peat, is perhaps the worst stuff you can associate with bonsai. It is not peat it is decomposed marsh grasses. When dry it resists water worse than Peat Moss, becomes very hard and compacted. Its normal structure is very fine and not generally conducive to bonsai propagation. I am not speaking form hear say, I am speaking from a time in my soil making career when I actually tried it. I do know some people like it, or so I have been told. So you ask your question and you wait for often conflicting responses.

Vance Wood.

There are lots of recipes for peat muck. One is 50/50 river clay or hardpan and sphagnum peat. Add water to the clay to make it about like cottage cheese consistency & then mix in the peat. You can also use a mix of bentonite, sphagnum peat, and water.

Al

Al (tapla), you provided me with the information I was looking for. Thank you very much. I will get the materials mentioned so that I may be ready to work on my trident maple group planting. This will be my first attempt in group planting.

matt

Good luck to you.