The bark is far too large to make a proper Gritty Mix.
The other ingredients should work well if the bark is screened 1/8 - 1/4 inch.

Josh

Thanks. Shoot! I bought two small bags of Reptibark mainly for the convenience of using it out of the bag. I did start to run it over 1/4 hardware cloth but found that not much at all was falling through.

Has Reptibark changed to where it no longer is the small size right for the mix? They had larger bags on sale but I bought the small ones to make sure it was small.

As far as I know, Reptibark can't be used straight from the bag, unless you're using it for 5-1-1 mix.

Josh

Thanks. Would the 5-1-1 be as good for succulents in a container in hot weather? I"m up for trying that instead.
Thanks for your help!

Unfortunately, it will not work as well for the majority of succulents. It is very good for things such as Holiday Cacti, arboreal cacti, Hoyas, and similar.

Josh

I spent a long time last night screening the bark through a 1/4 hardware cloth and I think it is better. But, the majority of the Reptibark was waste (aka too big).

I"ve attached a new pic to show what it looks like now. I also found some chicken grit that I think is a closer match than the 1/4 granite.

What is frustrating is the cost. I bought two small bags of Reptibark and most of it (80%) wouldn't screen through.

Any advice? I bought a bag of orchid bark but it is about the same size/waste. I can't find anything locally that works better. (I'm in San Fran East Bay - Livermore).

I don't live up there, so I can't help you too much. However, there are a lot of orchid growers in SF. There has to be a place to get seedling orchid bark. I would contact one of the local orchid societies or maybe put a post in the orchid forum asking where to buy seedling orchid bark in that area.