So I've been shopping for sphagmum moss, and it seems like there is a limited supply of the New Zealand, and some new moss in from China. Any thoughts on the differences?

And, I have gone away from using sphagmum peat moss in the garden due to environmental concerns, and now I am wanting to plant my orchids in sphagmum moss. Am I going backwards here? 🙄

Thanks!

No, you are not.
If you are looking for a vendor, I use the Green Barn ( orchid supplies) in Delray Beach, Florida. They have a wonderful web page.
You want long fibered New Zealand sphagnum moss. Accept nothing else. It is the best there is.

Sunny; At the moment this supplier is out of the compressed bales, but will have them back in stock soon ! https://ofeintl.com/

I've purchased from them many times... they're cheaper on shipping compared to GreenBarn

The new vendor that I mentioned, Brookside Orchids, has it in stock right now. Just check out their web site. They have at least three different sized packages or bales. Since the moss is dried and compressed, a 1.1 pound bale or bag cant be that much to ship.

Oh, I remembered another point. DO NOT purchase something that I have seen for sale called 'milled Sphagnum moss'! "Milled" as in 'run through the grinder'.
I do not know what this stuff was intended to be used for but it is not for orchids. It has been processed to a very, fine state and could be instant death for any orchid. It is a definite gray in color and is sold at garden centers as small bricks. Stay Away!!!!

Thank you all! So many choices of suppliers; I will check them out.

With my setup, planting the moisture lovers with a bit, if not completely, in sphag. moss has worked well. Oncidium "Twinkle" for example, is thriving in a small pot of 100% moss.

I am going to also try Bill's oreo method on my Zygo. crosses. I have used up all of my inherited supply, so I need to get a new batch of moss.

Thank you for the heads ups Bill (milled moss). Sometimes learning what NOT to do is as important as learning what to do!

You are very welcome.

I was just repotting a Phalaenopsis and it hit me, post images of the moss that I use.






These images show a little of the colander that I use and the moistened most. Fresh, dried sphagnum is very light in color, very light. When moist, this is the normal color that I see. It changes color as it sucks up water.
I don't know if long fibered is the correct term or perhaps coarse fibrous is better.

Photos always help, thank you! Def. a long strand -- it reminds me of fur.

You are welcome.