PINE BARK MULCH

[greg sytch]

Anyone use Pine Bark Mulch in their mix? Wal Mart in Hudson has a "soil conditioner" that is chopped up pine bark mulch. I used it on a few plants as an experiment. Its been a few weeks so it is too soon to tell. It appears quite sturdy, and that it will not break down quickly. I've also used Coconut fibers/chunks I get at Ace Hardware. The catt. I potted in June has grown much faster than similar sized-ones. Greg

[BikerDoc5968]

I purchased something that I thought would work as you have done. It is Ponderosa Forest Bark...whatever that is and it is about $3.00 for a 40 or 50# bag at my local garden center. My only concern when I bought this mulch material is that it might have mold/bacteria that might affect the chids because its intended use isn't for the chids. I washed my material in RD-20 prior to use....just my neurosis. I mix it with CHC and some charcoal for good measure about 60/40 bark/CHC. So far no problems....used for catts and phals....the flowering season will tell! The mix tends to dry faster for me and since I have a very heavy watering hand...this works out well.

[Ray]

The difference between most mulches and orchid potting media is the steaming to remove the oils that protect the plants - in mulch, it's OK to leave it, in potting media, no.