S/H: better or just different?

[Des]

Razka3 the bark we get is of a very poor quality in my opinion it is not suitable for Cymbids. I have been using coconut husk chips for about 5 or 6 years now. But I worry about getting it in future as the Rand seems to be falling so rapidly it will push the price up by too much . So I might have to revert to filter sand or river stone in the near future.

[Des]

I have never been able to find a book which will give you all the info . In matter of fact I have found most books to just roll stones in the way of my research, with comments like " never stand your Cymbidiums in water, fertilize once a month, do not water for 3 weeks after repotting !! " If any books have influenced my growing methods then it would be "The World of Orchids" by Jack Ross and " More Cymbidiums "by Sue and Graham Guest. Also the Autralian Orchid Review And a lot of trial and error over many years.
Good luck !