Question
Hi,

First I'd like to thank you for the help you've offered me in the past. My question this time is that I have some 60 seedlings just entering their third season in desperate need of repotting, but I can't find a supplier of sphagnum peat moss. As such, I'm hoping you can help me with soil mixes I could use instead.

A specialist hydroponics store suggested compounded clay or rock wool, but I'm wondering if sphagnum moss itself is the way to go. I had some left over when I potted two nepenthes, so I stuck it in a tray, gave it a bit of water, and now have about six trays of it. It's also easily available to buy. I also have perlite I could add to improve drainage and just want to know if this would make a good mix for my carnivores (fly traps and Sarracenia). If not, I'd appreciate any other suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve

Answer
Unfortunately, there isn't a suitable substitute for peat moss when it comes to carnivorous plants.  Avoid using clay or rock wool.  For some carnivorous plants plants, you can use dried sphagnum moss if you can't find peat moss.  For your North American plants, use a mix of 1 part dried sphagnum moss and 2 parts perlite.  For your Nepenthes, use a mix of 1 part dried sphagnum moss and 3 parts perlite.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin