All I ever wanted to know about soaking bark, but was afraid to ask

[bethmarie]

This seems too elementary, but I finally figured out why I've had such a hard time with new orchid divisions and repots, even when the plants start with great roots.

I learned about potting and repotting from a great grower at a local orchid nursery. Since he works in several huge greenhouses among thousands of great plants, I tend to go with what I learn there. And they don't pre-soak bark.

Evidently, that works out if you're growing in a greenhouse-- their plants aren't desiccating. Not so much in my home environment, where I have more than I want to count right now sitting in thirsty bark, looking sad and dehydrated even though they went into their pots with lush, drop dead gorgeous roots.

Lesson learned. Anything else on this topic I'm missing?

What would you do with the divisions recently potted? Water more frequently or re-repot in soaked bark?

If I have soaked bark left over after repotting that dries again, does it need to be re-soaked before use?