Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Lynne Marie on 28/02/2016 19:45:49

Title: How nutritious is peat for plants?
Post by: Lynne Marie on 28/02/2016 19:45:49

What is the nutritional value of peat (ie. peat moss, sphagnum peat) for plants? Does it have significant amounts of micro or macro nutrients when used in a soil mix?

Title: Re: Plant nutrition from peat
Post by: Don_1 on 10/03/2016 11:51:27

Peat contains little, if any, nutrients or organisms.

It is used as a soil improver, particularly where the soil is heavy and to acidify soil.

Peat based compost is usually around 70% peat + soil and fertiliser. Peat is particularly good at retaining added nutrients.

The problem with using peat, is that it takes 1000's of years for the moss to decompose. A peat bog may add just 1mm of depth per year.