| NZ | CHILE | CHINESE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strands | Large, robust leaf and long stem | Dense leaf but short strands | Fragile leaf and short strands |
| Structure | Strong structure | Reasonably strong structure | Weak structure |
| Chemical Properties | Natural pH, 4.8 with an EC of 0.1mS/cm. | Natural pH, 4.8 but inconsistent EC of between 0.1-0.5mS/cm. | High pH and high EC |
| Salt Accumulation | Will hold onto nutrients for the plant but not accumulate harsh salts | Potential to accumulate salts when nutrients applied. | Can easily accumulate salts when nutrients are applied |
| AFP | Strong structure means it won’t become over compacted in the pot. | Dense leaf hugging stem means it may have lower AFP when compacted in the pot | Provides little air to the plant when compacted tightly in the pot |
| Contamination | Minimal amounts of contamination dependant on grade | Minimal amounts of contamination dependant on grade | Can contain contaminants which break down quickly in the pot consuming nitrogen. Can effect plant growth and cause pathogenic problems. |
| Sterility | Sterile substrate, protecting plants from pathogens | Generally a sterile substrate but can harbour Sporotrichosis (fungal pathogen to humans) | Unsterile substrate; sterilisation is recommended before use due to a high level of contamination |
| Logevity in pot | Robust nature allows it to last long time in the pot (4-5 years) | Shorter, less robust strands and smaller leaf structure lessen the longevity in the pot (2-3 years) | Due to contamination and the fragility of the moss it can break down very quickly (9-12 months) |
At the root of healthier plants.
