Miracle Gro Peat Moss as Substrate for G Aureostriata?

[Ando55]

Hey everyone, I'm currently prepping myself for the future arrival coming ; I bought a small sized KK(9-1/8"Long x 6"Wide x 6-5/8"High) for the T( Chris from Krazy 8's told me it's close to 2inches or at 2inches or so). I'm wondering if I can use Miracle Gro's Miracle-Gro Sphagnum Peat Moss as the substrate? I'm asking because I'm not sure if everyone is using a different type of peat moss when they say they use "100% peat moss".


Thanks again everyone!

-Andy

 

[Tony]

Miracle gro? As in somehow treated?
Is it safe? Who can say definitively unless you put your spider in there with it for a few weeks.
So without that kind of hard info, why risk it...
Myself , I'd not take the chance.
T

 

[cheetah13mo]

What does the bag of peat have on it for ingrediants. A little perlite in it will be ok. Most of it should be natural with no chemicals though.

 

[Lorgakor]

I would assume that since Miracle Gro itself is a plant food then the Miracle Gro soil product would also contain some sort of plant food/fertilizer. I myself would not use it. There is no telling what the plant food would do to an invert. It might be completely safe, but then again it might not be.

When I buy Peat Moss it is 100% Peat Moss with no added fertilizers or anything else.

 

[Ando55]

Well that seals it then; I'll just lookout for 100% peat moss, the miracle gro mix is with Sphagnum Peat Moss along with it's plant food, I'll scratch that out then, everyone is using 100% sphagnum peat moss then I suppose..

 

[cheetah13mo]

Well that seals it then; I'll just lookout for 100% peat moss, the miracle gro mix is with Sphagnum Peat Moss along with it's plant food, I'll scratch that out then, everyone is using 100% sphagnum peat moss then I suppose..

Pretty much, Just make sure there are 0 (zero) chemicals in it. Cool?

 

[rosehaired1979]

I buy Schultz Peat moss (you can buy it @ Walmart) comes in a small green bag. Its around $3 here. I use that for all my Ts and never had a problem.

 

[Lilija]

Yeah, no additives, no plant food, no nothing. Luckily, it's the cheapest kind available.

Same with soil, if you use that. 100% organic, with no fertilizers, or color enhancers, or any weird things.

As I recall, Miracle Gro does make an organic garden soil, or potting soil that works well.

 

[Ando55]

I buy Schultz Peat moss (you can buy it @ Walmart) comes in a small green bag. Its around $3 here. I use that for all my Ts and never had a problem.

Great! I was planning to purchase this exact brand of peat moss as well, and Walmart SC is only a minute away, thanks for the help everyone

 

[jojobear]

I would still be careful of Schultz for the same reason you were leary of Miracle-Gro brand. Schultz is also a brand of fertilizer/plant food. I am very cheap by nature but I go on and spend the extra few dollars for a brick of bed o beast or a similiar product made specifically for animals. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[chaoshybrid6]

Is there a difference between regular peat moss and sphagnum peat moss?

 

[cheetah13mo]

Is there a difference between regular peat moss and sphagnum peat moss?

Live sphagnum moss is a moss that forms in low nutrient, wet environments usually on springheads or in glacial cirques or kettle lakes. As sphagnum grows, it forms mats called bogs that sometimes reach hundreds of feet thick. As the sphagnum grows over centuries the lower ends of the moss partially decompose and pile up. It doesn't completely decompose due to the low oxygen and acidic conditions. This partially decomposed sphagnum is what is known as peat moss.

 

[Vys]

Yeah, no additives, no plant food, no nothing. Luckily, it's the cheapest kind available.

Same with soil, if you use that. 100% organic, with no fertilizers, or color enhancers, or any weird things.

What is soil without anything, other than peat?

 

[ErikH]

http://www.miraclegro.com/index.cfm/event/ProductGuide.product/documentId/7a78be27200174ef843f501eb9f184e8

Here is a link to the Miracle Gro website. It says it contains plant food, so I would just avoid it.

 

[Lilija]

What is soil without anything, other than peat?

Dirt? Soil is soil, peat is peat. Soil is made up of a mixture of peat, composted organic matter, and, well, basic mineral dirt. As far as I know, at least.

I use part organic soil, part coconut fiber, and part peat, because for my tastes, peat alone is too spongy.

 

[Vys]

I understand composted organic matter, I understand peat, I don't understand mineral 'dirt'.

 

[ErikH]

Silica, clay, trace minerals, etc....

 

[Lilija]

Dirt. An enigma, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in a riddle.

 

[Annie3Ponies]

Ditto on the plant food. Another note, sometimes "organic" potting soil will have manure of one sort or another as plant food, as this is organic fertilizer, but not necessarily something you want in your terrarium in your house.

 

[dangerprone69]

In my experience straight peat is too dry for most T's. I use a mix of cocofiber, vermiculite and sand and have yet to get any complaints. And I'd also avoid anything treated or mixed with fertilizer, you just don't know if or how that stuff will affect tarantulas.