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Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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Posted by yaslan 8 WA (yaslan72@comcast.net) on Thu, Feb 4, 10 at 3:23
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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| The bark in your pictures does not look at all like the bark fines I make myself out of Douglas Fir bark. Yours looks stringy like it is made out of Redwood bark. Al |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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- Posted by tapla z5b-6a MI (My Page) on
Thu, Feb 4, 10 at 9:52
| The superfine (not dust) looks good for the 5:1:1 mix as is. If you screen the fines out, you should be able to use it in the gritty mix. Al |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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| Score!I found some fir bark fines recently that looks just like you superfine stuff with maybe just a touch more of grit. Damon |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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- Posted by tapla z5b-6a MI (My Page) on
Thu, Feb 4, 10 at 11:56
 The fir bark at the top is what I use when I make the gritty mix. The other bark products would all be fine for the gritty mix if they were screened to remove fines. The others would also be fine for the 5:1:1 mix, even though I PREFER a product like this (at the top): 
Al |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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Al ~ thanks for your input and providing pics.
I think I found some uncomposted fir bark @ $6.99 for 2 cubic yards. I hope this is it... ~Bo |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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uncomposted fir bark?
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RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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If to be used in gritty mix, does this need to sifted? |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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- Posted by tapla z5b-6a MI (My Page) on
Thu, Feb 4, 10 at 18:52
| Yes - it's very fine in texture. The idea is you want fairly large, uncomposted particles (1/8-1/4) which will inhibit the rate of breakdown. Aeration and durability are the most attractive attributes of this soil, so you'll get best results if you build the soil around them. Al |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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Al ~ what about the fir barks listed below? Are they too big?
Bark Rock - Made up of 1-2" fir bark with smaller particles screened out. It helps to retain moisture in the soil, reduce weed growth, and has a nice decorative appearance. Good for hillsides and sidewalks because it does not wash away as easily as barkdusts.
Pebble Bark - A ¾" screened product that has had the dust and smaller particles screened out. It has similar characteristics to bark rock. This product is a cleaner look then the traditional red fir. Its uses are ground cover & weed prevention. It has also been used for orchids to grow in.
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RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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- Posted by tapla z5b-6a MI (My Page) on
Sat, Feb 6, 10 at 12:49
| Yes - much too large. See my pics, Feb,4 - 11:56 Al |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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| I spent a long time looking for suitable sized fir bark. The fir bark generally available locally is large and coarse and used for mulching beds. Just by chance I came on a supplier very close that makes a much finer grade and its quite reasonably priced too. Been using it this past season and the plants seem to like it fine. The coin is roughly the size of a dime.
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RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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- Posted by jodik 5 Central IL (My Page) on
Sat, Feb 6, 10 at 16:12
| I use a product called ReptiBark reptile bedding. It's 100% fir bark, and it's usable right out of the bag... no screening required. That's the up side. The down side is that it's rather costly if you need a large quantity. I buy it in medium sized bags for about $12. It's available at PetSmart, or where ever reptiles are sold. It looks like this, once mixed with the other ingredients I use... which are perlite and granite chips. 
Here's what it looks like in an 8" clay pot, with an average sized Amaryllis bulb. 
Here's what the bag looks like. 
The pieces average about the size of a dime, give or take... none are too large or chunky, and there are no fines in the bag along with the bark. If you need this item in bulk, Reptibark is probably not the way to go... but for small batches of medium, it takes the guesswork out and makes it easy to use as a good medium ingredient. |
RE: Types of fir bark for soiless mix
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jodik ~ I used to have a Russian turtle. That's the same bark we used for his bedding. I agree it's kind of spendy (I need larger quantities). I'm gonna checkout the bonsai or orchid supply store. I've heard they might carry the screened fir bark. I've also been checking some of the recycling places but they only seem to have the composted fir bark. And though it's challenging I am determined to fined the screened fir bark in my area.
Thanks for letting me know about the pet store. I might go check it out and get a bag to get started. ~Bo |
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