Kiwi bark

[Deeplydeepali]

Hello everyone!

So right now I'm using a bark mix that my orchid supply store makes, but I feel like it breaks down very fast so I was thinking of trying something else. I've heard that Kiwi bark seems to last longer. My store carries Orchiata and I was wondering if anyone's used this and how they like/dislike it? Oh, I was also curious about getting the cheap hydroton balls at Ikea. I gotta a mouth to feed, so I'm a thrift shopper!

[Dollythehun]

There was just a discussion on the Ikea LECA. I bought some and it seems to work fine. I was told to soak it over night in clear water and then overnight in Epsom salts 1tbsp per gallon.

[Subrosa]

If you think long term leca is the cheapest because it's reusable over and over. If you can make it work for your conditions it's really no contest from a price standpoint.

[Tindomul]

Um, the Actinidia (Kiwi) that grows around here seems to have a very sugary vine. I'm no expert and I might even be confusing it with a grape vine that grows next to it. My advice before using kiwi for bark, is make sure it's not going to rot quickly due to high sugar content.

[estación seca]

Kiwi bark is a brand of pine bark from New Zealand. It's sold as being longer-lasting than fir bark. If you search Orchid Board with the Search function in the top menu, you can find the threads dealing with it. People agree it lasts a long time.

[Tindomul]

ohhhhh!!
That kind of kiwi. Oh well.

[fishmom]

I've used Orchiata with good results. It does last very well, certainly over a year. My orchid society does an annual group purchase for members, and there are always plenty of people who want to buy it.

No experience with Kiwi Bark, but I know that SVO Orchids sells it.

[Bayard]

I use Kiwi bark from SVO. My plants grow just as well as they did in Orchiata. Fred will sell you big bags. I screen it through hardware cloth to get uniform particle size.

[Deeplydeepali]

Ah! Ok. I thought Kiwi is a nickname for the bark because it's from Austrailia (or New Zealand?) I think I will try Orchiata since I have it available, but I will keep Fred in mind.