chong

Years ago, when I was raising orchids, the lady that used to own the original Baker and Chantry Orchids Nursery used to tell us to use orchid bark(fir) but to first soak it in water for at least 12 hours. And as much as 48 hours. The reason for this was so that the bark, that has cambium layer attached to it, will precipitate to the bottom of the container. The pure bark would stay afloat. The ones with the cambium layer contain materials that are harmful to the orchid, we were told.

This ones that float would be the ideal medium. If despite the soaking, the pure bark will continue to aggressively leach Nitrogen, this is not good news to me because I still use bark.

And we were told never, never to use bark mulch because not only do they contain the cambium layer, but they also contain a lot of wood chips. As an engineer, I have a greater appreciation for this definition. And as I understand it, it is the fact that the decaying wood that atracts the Nitrogen as it is breaking down. In reviewing the photos by Current River, I confirmed my earlier observation that they were wood chips. And though there may be a mixture of bark therein, I could not distinguish them. Unfortunately, the industry allows the suppliers to call the material "bark" even though it is mostly wood.

My point is that pure bark will hardly decompose long after wood chips will have done so. Which translates to me that orchid bark has a less attraction for Nitrogen than wood chips, and that Current River would be better off using orchid bark for mulch.

Chemistry is not my line. But I have observed fresh wood that has been sitting in water for weeks will turn the water into some kind of "liquor". When this liquid is disposed of over grassy area, the grass in contact with the liquid will wilt and/or turn yellow, or die. I don't think pure bark will have that effect.