How long to soak bark mix before repot?

[LadySoren]

How long am I supposed to soak the bark mix before I repot?

I only did it for maybe 10 min, but I recently saw a video that the company said they soak for DAYS before reporting and then use whatever bark is still floating.
What's 'best practice'?

My environment is rather dry (not like Arizona but maybe it is for the chids. In home, AC 74 day, 68 night (we like it cool), lamp for light, rare sunlight.

Thanks guys!

[WhiteRabbit]

Several hours, over night, or longer. Soaking a short time doesn't do much too help the fresh bark retain moisture longer. But, you can soak the pot for an hour or so as often as it needs water until it starts to retain moisture longer.

It will need very frequent watering if the bark was not soaked well prior. Use a skewer.

[Island Girl]

I soak mine overnight, but I've also heard 15 min, to an hour, as well as overnight, or longer. But, if your environment is dry then I'd say overnight.

Oh, just noticed ur in NC, (me too!) so... when you say "dry" you mean like 30-40%? That's about what it is inside my house, at least. It's up to you, and how often you wanna water it at first. Remember, bark dries a lot faster when it's new, and as far as I can tell, the longer u soak, the more "broken-in" it'll be. Hell, sometimes I leave my bark soaking for a week or so... When I'm lazy at re-potting a bunch of stuff And when I do that, it seems to break it in a lot more (but I think if you were to leave it for 1 hour, as opposed to 3, you probably would not notice a difference, but I dunno.)

[orchidsarefun]

I have never soaked bark and my orchids do fine ! I do always incorporate some moist sphagnum strands ( long strand stuff ) around the roots and that works well.

[MrHappyRotter]

I no longer use bark for potting up orchids, but when I did, overnight worked well for me.

Even now that I've switched to inorganic mixes (I use a rock wool based media) I soak over night.

[LadySoren]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I soak mine overnight, but I've also heard 15 min, to an hour, as well as overnight, or longer. But, if your environment is dry then I'd say overnight.

Oh, just noticed ur in NC, (me too!) so... when you say "dry" you mean like 30-40%? That's about what it is inside my house, at least. It's up to you, and how often you wanna water it at first. Remember, bark dries a lot faster when it's new, and as far as I can tell, the longer u soak, the more "broken-in" it'll be. Hell, sometimes I leave my bark soaking for a week or so... When I'm lazy at re-potting a bunch of stuff And when I do that, it seems to break it in a lot more (but I think if you were to leave it for 1 hour, as opposed to 3, you probably would not notice a difference, but I dunno.)

I'm near Asheville.
I have no idea what our climate really is considered. I just know that it's SO much drier than Fort Lauderdale, FL where I am originally from. Lol
So I compare it to that an of course south Florida is very humid.
Does the weather outside effect conditions inside? I didn't think so, but as you know we have had lots of rain this year. Either way, I do think my home is rather dry.
Just tonight I made a humidity tray (instead of cups of water sitting around my orchids. Lol)
Hopefully that will help.

I guess I will have to soak my chids a bit then. I will wait a couple more days because they were a little over watered previously.

Thanks for the replies!

---------- Post added at 10:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Several hours, over night, or longer. Soaking a short time doesn't do much too help the fresh bark retain moisture longer. But, you can soak the pot for an hour or so as often as it needs water until it starts to retain moisture longer.

It will need very frequent watering if the bark was not soaked well prior. Use a skewer.

When you say I can soak the pot for an hour, you mean like since I repotted right? Meaning with the orchid still in it? (Obviously I won't wet the crown just the bark area which includes the roots)
Sorry, dumb question >.<

Also, just placed some skewers this evening per instructions on another thread I posted which you probably commented on



It seems to take a village to raise a 'chid....
(That was a horrible attempt at who know what. Hahah)

[HighSeas]

Don't soak my bark either. I never have in the past and my orchids are doing just fine. There is a method to my madness though. I don't soak my bark because I think it breaks down much faster when you do. (I have a few friends that do it) I know my fellas are doing better than theirs AND I just don't think orchids like sitting in rotted bark.

I repot into dry bark....wait a few days and water with KLN or Kelp. Works nicely for me....

[WhiteRabbit]

Yes, you can soak the pot with the plant in it.

I recently repotted a small Phal into bark that had only been soaked about 10 minutes ... it's bone dry every day - even with daily soaking . I do have styro in the center tho. And, some bark just seem "drier" than others when it's new, so your results may vary (also, it can be very warm and dry here during the day this time of year)

[RJSquirrel]

If you use Orchiata you dont need to soak it and they even tell you not to soak it.

Ive been sold on Orchiata for over a year now its just great stuff. I wish I had started using it when I started orchideering. I wouldnt have had so many dead azzed over watered plants in the trash.

I dont think I answered any of your questions but I gave you a new idea maybe. Dump the plain jane bark.

Orchiata Frequently Asked Questions