Dr GreenThumb; Sphagnum Peat Chronicles



original work by Adrian Chesterman

The Search for Sphagnum Peat

  Driving around Estepona like a madman yesterday on my endless search for sphagnum peat moss, which turned out to be another fruitless endeavour.  I don’t think Jason had as much trouble finding the Golden Fleece than I’ve had just trying to track down a bit of sphagnum peat.  I'm pretty sure that once I do find a bag of this stuff, it will be placed on top of a rock on the edge of a cliff with a ray of light shining on it and guarded by a Dragon!

The Drug of Plant Growing

 Then I got to thinking, how come I always choose random crazy things to become obsessed about? Why couldn’t I just be crazy about cactus'? All garden centers cater for cactus' or when I used to keep fish, why couldn’t I just keep fish that was happy with normal water requirements…? No Way Jack, I had to try and keep the most delicate little wimps in existence. But then there would be no FUN, no search, no mental planning on how you’re going to achieve it… no achievement. And I think that’s just it, that buzz you receive doing something out of the ordinary, it’s never enough, it’s what leads some people ever deeper into the crazy world of horticultural madness. Eventually you’ll find me, in a basement somewhere, keeping some rare Orchid, where I have to blow on it with my own breath for 3 hours a day… No I don’t think I'll ever get to that level, I'm happy with my Venus Flytraps, it been a learning curve but I think I’m there now, their growing, their flourishing, its all become too easy and routine. No, now its time to step up my game, I need something a tad more challenging, a fresh new obsession! I have my eyes on Nepenthes. And I can’t wait to get some, but I’ll start with the highlanders, that should keep me buzzing for a year… lol

Not Alone

But I know I’m not alone, the reason forums and blogs exist on the net is proof that there are others like me in the world. That you guys most probably have had the same feelings on walking in on a shop and asking for the most random products and seeing the store holders eyebrow pop up confused: “Why would a guy want 50 empty baby food jars? Is this guy a crazy…? Let’s get him out of our here asap!!!”

Ahh but it’s all worth it, when you see your little babies thriving.

So I’ve heard rumors from a crazy chilly head/ grower, that there’s a garden center that might have what I need, and if not they’ll make orders!! I must and I will test out these storys

Must dash…