Hey Sandra - I hate bark too, hateithateithateit! I find it to be very inconsistent and difficult to determine how wet or dry it is at the root level. There was always something growing on, in or buzzing around it, no matter what I did to it. Since it is always in different stages of decomposition the state changes constantly making it even more difficult. And forget about it with fine root plants!
I switched all my orchids to Aussie Gold, both phals and outdoor cyms. Picked up a bag at a San Diego show and have just
loved it. Mayres also uses such a mix and has good luck with it. When I got around to re-potting my cyms I mixed my own coir, dynarock, large perlite, a little charcoal (main components of AG) and just for kicks added a little sprag moss to help keep them a little wetter through the summer. They are out under my eucalyptus tree in the shade throwing out new sprouts like crazy!! I didn't expect much after re-potting but they have just kept on growing. They seem to really love the stuff and since potting ALL of my plants in this mix I have not ONE TIME pulled up a plant to look at the roots and found anything rotting.
I don't understand the fear that coir holds too much moisture, especially if you compare it to sprag. It's drainage is excellent. Even immediately after watering my skewers are only slightly damp, and if I put a q-tip down into the mix (my own little experiement) it takes more then a few minutes to get wet. The makes of AG (I met them in SD where it is made) say that you cannot overwater and I believe them after six months of using it. Just a little pricey if you have a lot of plants. Mixing your own is much cheaper, and
anything is cheaper than losing orchids!
There is a new web site going around where you can make your own mix given 12 scoops of whatever you desire; I'll paste it for you when I find it.
Nice talking to ya Sandra! (and whoeverelse may read this!
)
Here's the link:
http://www.repotme.com/