Question for Australian members on bark supplies

[ArronOB]

Hi. This one is mainly for our Australian members.

I have about 200 orchids in my collection. I think at least 100 of them should be repotted this year. I would do more as I think they all need repotting really, but I know I’ll wilt after the first hundred.

I would be doing this around September, ideally.

I want to pot into bark.

So I want to get my own bark and process it over a few months, ready for use in September. I will probably do my usual thing of buying a few dozen cheap slotted pots direct from China, and be good to go.

I have looked at bark mixes in local landscaping suppliers - not happy as full of rubbish and flakes and stringy bits. I thought of sieving it, but by the time you take out the aforementioned you are left with virtually nothing.

Checked the bagged products at local hardware stores and garden centres. Again, poor quality with lots of fine stuff - I couldn’t find anything I would want to pot an orchid in.

Checked with orchid nurseries and shows. Some of the product for sale in these specialised places is quite good (example Orchiata) but I have a price objection.

What I want is round bark - round nuggets, not the flattish flakes which seem to be the result of modern forestry processes. We used to be able to buy it - but I haven’t seen good stuff for a while.

Any ideas where I can get it from?

Cheers
Arron

[Bayard]

One used to be able to get round nuggets of Fir bark here in the US, but I suspect that was from old growth trees. I have had good results with Pinus radiata bark from New Zealand in the largest sizes. It’s not Orchiata, meaning it is unprocessed. It’s called Kiwi Orchid Bark.

[Diane56Victor]

Sorry cant help, Ive only used Orchiata.

[SouthPark]

Me too, same as Diane here. I've only purchased a bag of Orchiata of particular size pieces, for baby sized plants.

Hope you eventually find a good source at a nice price Arron!!

[Diane56Victor]

Just had a thought.....
www.orchidaceoussupplies.com.au sells a premixed Kiwi bark. Never tried it myself but I know others use it.

Also Orchid Den do a premixed Orchiata perlite and charcoal mix.

[ArronOB]

Originally Posted by Diane56Victor

Just had a thought.....
www.orchidaceoussupplies.com.au sells a premixed Kiwi bark. Never tried it myself but I know others use it.

Also Orchid Den do a premixed Orchiata perlite and charcoal mix.

Yes, I’ve seen that at an orchid show. As I have a lot to do I’m a bit price sensitive about this but maybe $36 for 50 litres is not bad - I just have no idea what 50 litres is. I notice they have several sizes too.

[Diane56Victor]

Just asked Google what is 50 litres of bark. The quote is for a landscaping bark
The quote says roughly 40 litres of mulch or bark is 1 cubic metre.

So that makes it as clear as mud!

[ArronOB]

Yes, heading towards the kiwi orchid bark -and might get the pots there as well.

It’s a shame they don’t have a supplier in NSW.

Thanks Diane
Arron

---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Diane56Victor

Just asked Google what is 50 litres of bark. The quote is for a landscaping bark
The quote says roughly 40 litres of mulch or bark is 1 cubic metre.

So that makes it as clear as mud!

Actually, 1000 litres of bark is 1 cubic metre

Liters to Cubic Meters Converter

[Diane56Victor]

Probably a good idea not to repot everything at the same time anyway. As you said it gets monotonous and doing it over 2 years lessens the workload and spreads the cost.

---------- Post added at 06:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 AM ----------

Just shows what Google knows...or in this case doesn't...😁

Actually I misinterpreted the answer
It should read 25 bags of 40 litres = 1 cubic metre

[ArronOB]

I just sent an email to that company asking if they supply to anywhere in NSW where I can pick some up in person.

I think I probably need 2 x 50 litre bags of size 3 (for the Oncidiums) and 2 x 50 litre bags of size 5 (for the cattleyas) - unless anyone is able to tell us how many 100mm or 150mm pots to expect per litre of bark.