hardwood bark for potting

[giovannarosa]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone here has ever used hardwood bark to pot Phals. I have access to oak and maple and other barks. I'm wondering if it would hurt my plants. I thought that I would sterilize them first. What do you think?

[Stray59]

I would think you would have to be aware of the acidity level - I know that oak bark, red oak in particular, has very high levels of tannic acid, but I don't know exactly where the levels fall as it would concern orchids. Other than a more rapid deterioration rate compared to say cork bark, I don't know why you couldn't as long as it was sterile.
Just my worth-
Steve

[WhiteRabbit]

for more input

[giovannarosa]

Dear Sonya I don't know how to "bump" unless you mean to repost.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by giovannarosa

Dear Sonya I don't know how to "bump" unless you mean to repost.

Sorry, I posted to "bump" your thread up in the "recent posts" so hopefully more members will see it an reply

[giovannarosa]

Thanks!