How tight should the medium be packed?

[Im Just Saying]

Thanks for all the help! I think that I will be "donating" my bag of orchid mix to the hubs to mix in with his organic potting soil for our newly attempted potted vegetable "garden". My local nursery does sell bark by the bag and perlite so I may just buy it separately and mix it myself as the bark pieces are much larger than that in the premixed.

Silken, funny you should mention that. There's an orchid show in the area here this upcoming weekend that I'm trying to talk myself out of going to. I keep telling myself that I just want to look and learn but secretly I know that a new 'chid will end up "following" me home.

[NatalieS]

I would be careful about buying bags of bark at the nursery that aren't intended for orchids. Most of the time the bark sold in bulk is meant to be put over the top of soil like a mulch and hasn't been cleaned well enough for potting orchids in. If you have a pet shop near you which sells or specialises in reptiles, they will often have bags of fir bark for putting in the terrariums. It's sometimes more expensive but it's been the only way I've been able to find quality bark and sphagnum moss.

[Merlyn]

You can also order bark and/or mixes online from many supply places, as well as more chids !!!

[Im Just Saying]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

I would be careful about buying bags of bark at the nursery that aren't intended for orchids. Most of the time the bark sold in bulk is meant to be put over the top of soil like a mulch and hasn't been cleaned well enough for potting orchids in. If you have a pet shop near you which sells or specialises in reptiles, they will often have bags of fir bark for putting in the terrariums. It's sometimes more expensive but it's been the only way I've been able to find quality bark and sphagnum moss.

Sorry forgot to mention is is specifically branded as orchid bark, however I did not think to look at pet stores for some of the supplies I think I may check that out as I don't need huge quantities of potting mix yet, thanks for the suggestion!

Merlyn, I think I did see some references to re-pot me for orchid mix so that's an viable option as well. As for ordering more orchids... It's best if I put on blinders for the moment I'm not ready for this to become an new obsession/addiction just yet... I think...

[rangiku]

Go to the show and have fun. You'll see so many beautiful orchids of all types and the combination of them will create a beautiful fragrance. You'll walk around with a smile on your face. It's inevitable that at least one orchid will follow you home. If it's only one, you've shown remarkable restraint.

P.S. I've been told if you use Orchiata bark NOT to presoak it.

[Merlyn]

RepotMe is NOT the only one for orchid supplies, try QuarterAcreOrchids, Kelley'sKorner, OrchidSupply, GreenBarn, OFE.

[Im Just Saying]

Merlyn, thanks for the list of suppliers to check out! There's still so much for me to learn about when it comes to that sort of thing. I appreciate your help.

[Leafmite]

You can usually find orchid supplies at orchid shows! Another excuse to go!

[camille1585]

See, you really have no excuse not to go to the show!! There are only good reasons to go, no bad ones!