I usually don't advocate field collecting, but in the case of Sphagnum
I wonder if perhaps, maybe, obtaining some from wild sources might not
be so bad. I'm mostly wondering how and where the the commercial sources
get theirs. Anyone know? If the casual carnivore grower were to
collect small amounts in a judicious manner, might this be less of an
impact? I mean for small applications like top-dressing, not to fill
a backyard pool. I don't know, perhaps this is not a good suggestion,
but I can't imagine the suppliers actually cultivating the stuff.
I remember a humorous post a while back regarding someone who ordered
live Sphagnum from a somewhat infamous nursery... It arrived months
late, in a few plastic garbage bags. the Sphagnum was mixed with twigs,
cranberry, etc.!
Michael Chamberland