Reasonable Prices for Bark?

[Azure]

I have been wondering what a 'reasonable' price for bark is. Since I am unable to buy it locally, I have looked online and prices vary quite a bit: $4 for a 1L bag of fine bark, $10 for 5L of premade mix, $8 for 0.5L of medium bark...the list goes on!!!!! (all canadian dollars btw) It's so confusing . Advice anyone? If anyone has any suggestion as to where to buy some too, it would be nice. Thanks in advance.

[cassier]

Sorry, I'm not sure. I buy mine from a friend who mixes his own. Someone else will be along to help you.

[Tarad]

I sometimes indulge and buy online, but if I want to repot a lot I sometimes go to Wal-mart and buy their Schult's mix for around 6 and repot a bunch. The kind WITHOUT the time released fertilizer in it. I let a flower place repot my vanda and they used that and it killed them. So called experts, I striped them of that title and joined this site, havent killed an orchid since. IT also depends on the type of orchid and your climate on the type of mix that will work for you. Tara

[Azure]

Here we can buy the Scultz mix (the only type you can buy), but is is too large and dries too fast because of all the charcoal and rock in it (more charcoal and rock than bark). I just want to get some straight bark, and then if I have to I can add perlite, charcoal etc. I am looking for both medium and small sizes. I will be going to a show tomorrow, however most thing there that aren't plants are over priced. I want to know if I'm paying too much if I see some there. So far I've only had to buy sphag, so I really have no idea what a good price is.

[rcb]

Azure, unfortunately one of the best places to get the small bark and good spag is from orchid growers who sometimes also sell at shows or online. My Lowes does have Better Gro just bark, not a mix, but it is really large pieces. I bought a big box of seedling mix last year for $10.95USD from a grower not too far from me. This had small bark, perlite, small charcoal and some peat (which I filter out).

I see spag for anywhere from $20 USD to $30 USD per compressed kilo. But that is a lot of spag.

[Tarad]

I buy the Shultz's and take out the charcoal and save it for when I make my own. Tara

[leeflea]

Indeed, I've been curious what is a reasonable price for tree fern fiber.
The other media seem ok except for the trf. Leeflea.

[Filb]

Bettergro makes a decent mix. I got it at Lowes for about $6. It has med to fine fir bark, charcoal and large pieces of perlite.
I usually amend it with some sphag (also bought at Lowes..I know, shame on me).

But I was also noticing the variation of medium prices online..
Wonder what is up with that..?

[leeflea]

Hey Rachel,
I don't know what's up with the trf either. I don't use it much except for the Pshchopsis so I'm hoarding it but naturally I'd share if if anyone needed it.
If you find out let me know please so I can stock up. lee

[Stephen Sadowski]

Try the web store OFE International Web Page they pretty much have everything you need.

[Ray]

I think it is important to judge more than just the purchase price.

For example, if you buy typical Rexius fir bark, you will need to replace it far earlier than if you buy Orchiata - a year or two versus around 5. If you consider that a roughly 3:1 replacement ratio, then one could reasonably accept paying 3x as much for Orchiata (which is way more than it actually does cost).

[Brooke]

Are you selling the Orchiata Ray? I'm trying it on some paphs and phrags and will be interested to see how well it holds up in constant moisture.

Brooke

[Ray]

Yes, although I'm currently out of seedling grade.