Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 10/17/2011

Question
Hey guys,
I recently purchased some live long fiber sphagnum from a vendor on ebay and it finally arrived today. I was planning on using it as a top dressing for my nepenthes, and in a little tank I use for a couple of sensitive species, which will soon include a heliamphora and cephalotus, but I would first like to know how I should make it aseptic. It's not that it's dirty or visibly infested, but I'm afraid that if I just place it directly in with the plants, there could be some insects or eggs that I haven't yet seen, which could ultimately infest my entire collection.

Are there any methods I could use to minimize the chances of infecting my plants with this new moss?

Thanks,
Mat

Answer
Generally, this isn't an issue since live sphagnum moss rarely harbors pests.  However, if you're concerned about it, you can spray it with pyrethrin.  It's a natural compound and is safe to use on sphagnum moss.  Spray the moss and place it in a plastic bag overnight.  By morning, any tiny critters should be dead.  Rinse the moss completely to remove the odor from the insecticide before using it with your plants.

For information on using pyrethrin, watch our video on insecticides.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SarraceniaNorthwest#p/c/7C076C23FD3DFB68/3/lbRCdJ8ZN

Good growing!
Jacob Farin