Hello, all.
I keep finding the most confusing opinions about Sphagnum, dried or live, among the bonsai experts out there.
I am not sure what you find confusing?
Sphagnum moss can be used as a layer on top of your soil, on which you place other, fine moss. The sphagnum is used as it holds moisture, so your top layer of moss does not dry out.
It can be used when transplanting trees; it has anti-septic qualities so it will protect the roots - this can be done for weak trees (as you quoted).
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There's another opinion
I do not think it is another opinion, it is another way to use it.
"...Sphagnum moss can be a source of a chronic fungal disease called sporotrichosis..."
Yep. Probably not a high risk (for people, not trees) - unless when you handle enormous amounts of it with bare hands. Do not take my word for it - I have no statistics so I should advise you to wear gloves. I am guessing you thought it was lethal for trees - and that's why you thought it is the devil for bonsai?
You may have heard of the "Bonsai new easy method". This method (which I cannot recommend at all) is developed by Brian Batchelder, who "actually died from an unusual lung infection caused by sphagnum moss spores, called sporotrichosis" (
www.bonsaidilettante.com/2014/11/the-so-...ethod-of-bonsai.html)
Whether to use it live or dead is also in the articles you quoted:
Dead / dried sphagnum as top layer
Live sphagnum as component of your substrate
I do not use it in my substrates.