Question

Peat moss is
A)Sphagnum
B)Funaria
C)Riccia
D)Marchantia

Answer 1

Hint: Mosses are a phylum of plants which are not vascular. Instead of seeds, they develop spores for reproduction and don't grow flowers, wood or true roots. Both species of moss have rhizoids instead of roots.

Complete answer:
Peat moss is dead fibrous material that occurs in peat bogs as mosses and other live material decompose. The distinction made in their backyard between peat moss and compost gardeners is that peat moss consists mainly of moss, and decomposition occurs without the intervention of air, slowing down the rate of decomposition.

For peat moss to form, it takes many years, and each year peat bogs add less than a millimetre in depth. Since the process is so slow, peat moss is not considered a resource that is renewable.

Gardeners use peat moss mostly in potting soil as a soil modification or ingredient. It has an acidic pH, making it suitable for plants that love acids, such as blueberries and camellias. Compost could be a better option for plants that prefer a more alkaline earth. Since it does not quickly compress or break down, one peat moss application lasts for many years. In poorly treated compost, peat moss does not contain harmful microorganisms or weed seeds that you can find.

In most potting soils and seed starting media, peat moss is an essential part. It holds its weight in moisture many times and, as needed, releases the moisture to the plant roots. It also keeps onto nutrients so that when you water the plant, they are not washed out of the soil. A good potting medium is not provided by peat moss alone. To make up from one-third to two-thirds of the total amount of the blend, it has to be combined with other ingredients.

Since much of the dead material in a peat bog comes from sphagnum moss that grew on top of the bog, peat moss is often referred to as sphagnum peat moss. Don't confuse sphagnum peat moss with sphagnum moss, which consists of long, fibrous plant material strands. To line wire baskets or to give a decorative touch to potted plants, florists use sphagnum moss.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: In the mid-1900s, peat moss was first made available to gardeners, and it has revolutionised the way we cultivate plants since then. It has a remarkable capacity to effectively handle water and hold on to nutrients that would leach out of the soil otherwise. It also increases the texture and consistency of the soil when carrying out these impressive activities.