[mayres]

Arlene and PhalPal - I make up a big batch - always more than I can use. I have it in a large bucket and what isn't used is allowed to slowly dry out and then I just add water when I need it and I'm ready to go the next time until it is used up. No need to ever discard it! If I remember right (?) the bricks noted in the pics above are about 12 inches square by 5 inches or so. Without too much effort I can take a wood chisel and shave off sections as I need it and then when I apply water I can make certain it is well broken apart and mixed with the other ingredients. I actually have a band saw that would work really well to cut off squares, but the chisel has worked well enough that I haven't made the effort to take out to the garage and start up the saw.
Arlene - good to hear it is working well for your other genera - I had been using fine bark for those, but I'm inclined to try the coir mix for those too now. Thanks for the encouragement to do so! I'm starting to wonder if there are any genera of orchids that I have that it would NOT be good for? Something that needed to dry quickly and stay dry for a spell? Cattleyas? I actually have a small one in this that seems to be doing OK.
mike