Bark Question

[Cym Ladye]

General rule of thumb is to never reuse old bark on orchids. It is great as mulch for other plants or as a soil amendment in the garden but way too many dangers of infection, as well as the earlier breakdown, from reuse in other orchids.

[kimstwin]

I have no advice for the reuse of bark, but I have lots of experience with repotme.com.

I love all of their supplies. I use their mixes, pots, and fertilizer. You can make your own mix, also.

[hcastil3]

also keep in mind Viruses are neither dead or alive .. they just are.........

you can denature a virus by this it just means denaturing it. and the capsids just kind of float away and are unasembled . but if you reintroduce a strand of a live DNA or RNA it will re assemble itself again using the old parts of the non assembled viruses.

Just remember the “Hershey-Chase Experiment” this will explain a little of how viruses work.

[james mickelso]

Just a little information on bark. The bark you buy at most stores, even Repotme, has no more guarantee of being free of pathogens than the dirt in my backyard. Some producers steam their bark to get rid of the major groups of fungus (think toad stools) and insects (except eggs) but not enough to be sterile or even disinfected. the harder (orchiata) the bark the better. The softer (HD) the bark, the worse it is as far as being clean. That is one reason some posts here decry the grow of white molds and fungal rot on their orchids. I have reused bark for a very long time and found few problems. That is not to say I use it all the time. But as long as it is not broken down, I use it on cyms, large cattleyas, large brassias ect. As long as the plants that were growing in it didn't show signs of fungal or bacterial diseases, I reused it. But.....if I had orchids in a collection that were rare, expensive, show quality, large collection plants or old memorable plants, I would never, ever reuse media. But for those of us (most of us) who have ordinary run of the mill plants from HD, Lowes, TJ's or rescues from dumpsters or offices or plants given to us for our soon forgotten birthdays or sympathy plants, reusing old yet not broken down media is not anything to worry about.

[jocierk]

Thank you all very much for your opinions and help!

The orchids that were in the bark were all in good shape except for being under hydrated (which was why I switched the bark). Most of them had been potted for less than two months some of them closer to one so the bark is still in new condition. It isn't so much about the money, just that I hate to waste the bark if I don't have to. I do have other plant that I am sure would appreciate it as an addition to their pots as well.

Thank you also for your suggestions on where I can look for bark in the future. Always good to hear what is working for other people.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I agree 100% with Mr. HR. I never re- use medium between orchids. I use old bark as a mulch on non-orchid houseplants, or toss it in the woods.

I as well....tho I don't have an outside to toss anything.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by hcastil3

also keep in mind Viruses are neither dead or alive .. they just are.........

you can denature a virus by this it just means denaturing it. and the capsids just kind of float away and are unasembled . but if you reintroduce a strand of a live DNA or RNA it will re assemble itself again using the old parts of the non assembled viruses.

Just remember the “Hershey-Chase Experiment” this will explain a little of how viruses work.

I take it as you meant viable DNA or RNA, as saying "live" contradicts what you said in the very beginning.

Virus can be said to be alive once it is active inside the host.
Virus can be said to just exist when it is outside the host and not doing anything, but still staying intact with all the material it needs to replicate itself.
I also think that virus can be said to be dead once its composition is no longer intact.

Once the core materials (DNA and RNA are also subject to environmental elements, but just more stable structure) are damaged, they are basically dead, meaning they will not be able to function as they otherwise would when conditions become favorable again.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I take it as you meant viable DNA or RNA, as saying "live" contradicts what you said in the very beginning.

Virus can be said to be alive once it is active inside the host.
Virus can be said to just exist when it is outside the host and not doing anything, but still staying intact with all the material it needs to replicate itself.
I also think that virus can be said to be dead once its composition is no longer intact.

Once the core materials (DNA and RNA are also subject to environmental elements, but just more stable structure) are damaged, they are basically dead, meaning they will not be able to function as they otherwise would when conditions become favorable again.

Like all living organisms, viruses (and retroviruses) are simply BRILLIANT. Their evolved strategies to survive and replicate....are breathtaking. Also, their ability to morph in the face of challenges.

Same is true of bacteria, but, to me, a less impressive extent. and, without benefiicent bacteria, we would not be here.

Again, the intelligence that marks the natural world. It's humbling for sure.

Edit: by the by, for a long time I have been keeping a supply of grapefruit seed extract oil on hand. I woould olt be wihtolut it! I almost never get sick, but when I do....sometimes a sinus issue, i use it and, n two days i am just fine.

This natural agent has no downsides unlike orthodox pharms; it does not harm friendly organisms nor does it have side effects; it is effective against at least 800 pathogens.

It has even occurred to me, should I ever get a virused orchid....while I would naturally isolate it, I would try to use this on it.

Re viruses, despite the current formal dicta, and that they can not survive outside of a host cell....I do consider them living organisms....just not able to live autonomously/independently.