Recommendation for a bark based potting medium

[euplusia]

I've always mixed my own potting medium. I've seen good results with a blend of 75 volume percent of medium grade Mediterranean fir bark, 15-20 percent of clay pellets (Seramis) and 5-10 percent of Perlite. I apply the mix in dry condition and soak after repotting in clear water. Usually I use it for orchids in medium sized plastic pots.
The material decomposits slowly and is suitable for a wide range of species from Gongorinae to young Cattleyas, Brassavolas, Trichopilias, Oncidiums to Dendrobium nobile hybrids.
The ingredients are inexpensive. The bark comes in big bags from France. I guess that the ingredients are easily obtainable all over Europe.
I use the bark after I've hand picked the pieces into a coarse selection and a medium grade selection. I sort out everything that is too fine or otherwise unsuitable. This is time consuming, but laterwards the mix keeps fresh and open much longer.
The root system shown above belongs to Oncidium ornithorhynchum.

[tucker85]

That sounds like a good mix for most orchids. Obviously you're having success with it. I think it's important for any grower to find a mix that works well with his or her specific environment and culture habits. Since your mix is working well for you, I wouldn't change anything.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by tucker85

That sounds like a good mix for most orchids. Obviously you're having success with it. I think it's important for any grower to find a mix that works well with his or her specific environment and culture habits. Since your mix is working well for you, I wouldn't change anything.

DITTO, as in "if it ain't broke, why fix it". There are as many special mixes as there are growers out there. Find one that works for you and adjust only as you feel necessary to improve your cultural results.

CL

[The Orchid Boy]

Just thought I'd share one of my mixs that works great for paphs and phals: 7 parts orchidata, 1 part small lava rock, and 1 part sphagnum moss. I also like to add 1 or 1/2 a part of charcoal to keep the mix "sweet".

[euplusia]

Thanks for your comments.
Orchid Boy, could you please be so kind and tell me what orchidata is. The search engine didn't bring up useful results.
Everybody who has good results should stick to his method and not give it up for experiments. And my recommendation is no revolution at all.
I've read in this forum complaints about the bad quality of some 'ready-for-use'-mixes, have read questions if Mediterranean fir bark is suitable at all for orchid growing and made the bad experience that pure sphagnum moss breaks down after one year or so. So I thought my experience might be useful for the hobbyists, who want to grow in plastic pots and are looking for a tested standard mix that can take up and keep water easily without becoming soggy, and keeps its structure over an extended period of time.
And I absolutely agree that every grower has to adjust his methods to all his growing conditions, including climatic factors and his choice of plants, by careful observation. The potting medium is only one thing in a wide array of factors that influence the health of plants.

[The Orchid Boy]

Orchidata is orchid bark that is really high quality and has been rinsed and is clean from contaminants. It also lasts a very, very long time and is Pinus radiata bark. It is the best bark I know of.

[ALToronto]

It's orchiata, not orchidata.