Keeping medium fresh

[ChronoKiento]

I have this huge bag of canadian sphagnum peat moss and I'm worried that it won't last long without getting moldy. The reason I thought of this is because I went to use some Miracle Grow Cacti soil and the surface of it was covered in these yellow green fluffy mold balls. I just mixed it around a little bit before using it because I don't think cacti and succulents are that particular about mold but I'm pretty sure a CP wouldn't like it. Should I keep my sphagnum somewhere cold? It's a HUGE bag and it's hard enough to lift so I really don't know if I have a place for it. I just have it sitting along the wall in my room.

I think I should buy those dry peat moss bricks for obvious reasons but I've never seen them before, where do I get them? Lowes? Home Depot?

Thanks,
()Kyle()

 

[adnedarn]

I have a bag of it... I just don't dampen it untill it is ready for use and then i have no problem... If i do dampen too much, i just fluff it every couple of days in the bucket untill it drys. Never had a problem. OH, it is stored inside...
Andrew

 

[TheAlphaWolf]

let it dry out

 

[ChronoKiento]

And how do I let it dry out? I'm afraid if I leave it open it will get contaminated by something... Like gnat eggs..

 

[Clint]

just put it out in the sun. don't worry about contamination. even if it does, i always microwave my media before i use it to kill (or try to atleast) any spores.

 

[ALLOSAURZ]

I wouldn't worry about it as you are going to be keeping the soil wet anyways for the CPs right? I'd just keep it in a sunny spot. I leave my bales of people outside to experience the weather.

 

[peter]

Just put it in a bag and leave it somewhere dry, like your basement or garage. I've still got a prepared batch of media that I made last year with no problems at all.

 

[ChronoKiento]

It's a plastic bag so it's pretty much air tight. So if I just leave it alone it will be ok?

 

[jimscott]

I just keep mine in a utility room that adjoins our screened in porch, where it is dark, dry, and now hot. Never had any problems with moisture, contamination, or critters.

 

[ChronoKiento]

Cool....but...I still wonder how that moldy stuff got into my cacti soil bag.... Maybe it was from the Miracle Grow plant food... Eh oh well, thanks everyone.