Pre-soaking Bark?

[SilverShaded]

Good bark is waterproof, thats why trees have it. Bad bark holds water and rots. We often use polystyrene chunks in place of bark, it doesnt rot and harbours less pathogens.

Bark is just a space filler, something for roots to cling too and hold the plant in the pot. Sure in a pot it will hold moisture for a while because the moisture is trapped in the pot on the surface of the bark. Once the waterproofing volatile oils have left the bark, which will happen over time, it will start to hold moisture inside the bark and start to rot.

The smaller the bark pieces, the more surface area there is to hold moisture and less space for air to 'circulate'.

[Ray]

As when I use bark, it is Orchiata, I don't soak it at all to avoid extraction of the dolomitic lime used in the curing process. Instead, I pour boiling (or at least very hot) water over it - just enough to wet it - wait 15-30 minutes and repeat. Once it is cool, it will have "opened up" to absorb better, and it ready to use.

[katrina]

I need some help in understanding this whole soaking bark thing.

I do "get it" if we are trying to eliminate fine particulates (as someone posted) but like Ray, I use orchiata and there really isn't any broken down or super fine bits. There is some dust but it's not like using one of those bagged orchid mixes that can be purchased in many of the big-box stores.

Ray, you say you do it to "open up" the bark but doesn't it just close right back up once it's "dry"? As you know, it's not really dry to begin with but it does shed water nicely. The soaking things seems like kind of a PITA w/no real long-term benefit. Plus, the company that manufactures this product says that there is beneficial bacteria in the bark so soaking it in boiling water would destroy those beneficials. Not to mention, I would think it would also leach out some of that beneficial dolomite? Seems like a lot of work for nothing in return. Am I missing something?

BTW - for anyone not familiar w/Orchiata...there is moisture in it...it's not wet but it is moist straight out of the bag. They use water in the processing so given the inherent moisture content in a fresh batch I'm not sure why anyone would want to soak it. Even the manufacturer's website recommends against any "sterilization".

[isurus79]

I've also never soaked bark before and have grown some pretty nice plants. I switched to orchiata about a year or two ago and haven't looked back.

[OrchidsPlz]

i have heard a lot about this orchiata bark here in Canada however we can't get ay of it here... What makes it so special?

[SilverShaded]

Originally Posted by OrchidsPlz

i have heard a lot about this orchiata bark here in Canada however we can't get ay of it here... What makes it so special?

Its treated in some way to make it sterile and calcined with dolomite, not sure how the process works in detail.

The calcium probably stops it getting acidic (pine bark is acidic in nature) and plants generally need calcium so that probably helps in that way also. Hope someone has better knowledge though!

[OrchidsPlz]

OHH now i understand, thank you

[katrina]

Originally Posted by OrchidsPlz

i have heard a lot about this orchiata bark here in Canada however we can't get ay of it here... What makes it so special?

I wasn't sure what to believe when i first heard about it but I ordered some...either 3 or 4yrs ago now...and after trying it, I won't use any other bark.

I did some repots this spring and the plants had been in those pots w/orchiata for a little over 3 yrs (first potted early 2012) and the bark didn't appear to have changed a bit in those 3 yrs. The only difference I could detect was it smelled a little different...not bad or anything just not like fresh orchiata smells. Even more astounding, the trichopilias that I repotted sit in saucers of water 24/7! No break down that I could see at all. With other barks you definitely get break down in 2yrs time...I would expect a lot of mush after 3 yrs of sitting in water but not w/orchiata. I've liked working with it to date but after doing those repots...I like it even more now.

Here's the website that details the manufacturing process and the benefits.
Orchiata. New Zealand Orchid Bark as a Potting Mix for Orchids and Cymbidium Growing Media | Orchid Substrate from Besgrow Orchiata Specialists.

If you ever get the chance to try some...don't hesitate. I know they sell to a number of countries, I'm really surprised it's not available in Canada. ?? Maybe there's an orchid supply company or seller that would be willing to look into being the first to import it for sale.

[SilverShaded]

Katrina, did you think the plants are healthier or was it just that the bark lasted longer between repots?

I have a bag of orchiata lying around but havent gotten around to using yet, we opted for polystyrene instead for many plants (mostly dendrobes/cattleyas) based on some professional growers advice we know.

Polystyrene is obviously a lot cheaper option if you have a lot of orchids and they do grow well using it.

I know a lot of poeople seem to swear by it, but does orchiata really work wonders, or is it just that 'normal bark' is rubbish? Maybe i just have to try it.

I kind of like the idea that it is impregnated with calcium and magnesium. The magnesium may help the plants to look greener as its essential for chlorophyll production.

[Ray]

Katrina,
Most of the Orchiata I've gotten over the last couple of years has been much drier, if not totally dry, than the bags I used to get in.
You are correct - it harbors both penicillium and trichoderma species, but with the relatively small amount of water I use, it cools pretty rapidly upon contact, so I don't imagine I'm wiping their populations out entirely. Besides, I apply Inocucor Garden Solution anyway...
As to the "opening up" thing, I don't think the expansion is 100% reversible. It's more like a highly-compressed sponge; wet it and it swells to full size, but when it dries it stays that same size.
The lack of availability in Canada is government-related. The U.S. East coast distributor is Canadian, and I know they're working on it, but the feedback they're getting relates to the ridiculous concern over potential competitive damage to the Canadian timber industry.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com