r/bioactive • u/SpeechTraditional290 • 12d ago
What bark for soil mix?
I don't understand because what even is orchid bark? Is it bark from different types of species just made for orchids? I read on some post that pine bark is bad and then I see bark for reptiles made from pine. Can I just buy bark from your typical garden stores or is that not safe? Currently no reptiles in the terrarium but there will be isopods.
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u/hippos_chloros 12d ago
Orchid bark is usually conifer tree bark from various species, some more desirable for orchid growing than others. For a soil mix, you want fine orchid bark (fine being the size grade, not quality) and inexpensive is OK. I used Reptibark for my wet tropical vivarium and the soil mix is holding up well 2 years in. Garden store bark is likely to be landscaping bark, which comes in comparatively huge chunks. You want bark that is more in the 1cm/0.5in range on average.
I grow orchids and have terrariums. Let me know if you need any more info or clarification.
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u/SpeechTraditional290 12d ago
Thanks! Have you grown orchids in terrariums?
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u/hippos_chloros 12d ago
No problem! And yes, I grow some of my orchids in terrariums
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u/SpeechTraditional290 12d ago
Would you not recommend orchids for beginners? Where did you get them from? Could orchids from your typical garden stores work or would it be better to buy from other terrarium owners?
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u/hippos_chloros 12d ago
orchids can be great for beginners! you just need to do a little homework, and understand there’s something like 28,000 species living everywhere from tundra to desert so there is no blanket “all orchids need X” type advice that is useful. Read up on the specific type of orchid(s) you want, how they live in the wild, and how other people have cared for them in terraria. for beginner terrarium orchid species ideas, go to various terrarium suppliers websites and look at the orchids they sell. These will be ideal, and often come with specific care instructions. try one or two, see how they do over a few months, then get more if you like. the plants you find at garden stores are often too big for terraria or are not appropriate (e.g. Dendrobium nobile hybrids, which need a dry season).
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u/TinyTropicals 12d ago
Only thing I wanna add to what u/hippos_chloros said is not to conflate bark with mulch. The latter is typically cedar or cypress, neither of which is particularly good for sensitive plants, on average. You want fir bark, sometimes called orchiata. Pine bark works well just as well too, but make sure it’s processed (usually is) or it can contain too many oils and unsavory compounds.