The Orchid Garden

What's wrong with Rexius bark? (Was "Jerry's Grow")

Question:

Last spring I bought about 2 cu ft of Rexius bark from my local orchid nursery.  So far the only annoyance is that when I handle it I sometimes get stabbed with what feels like an opuntia cactus spine (those tiny ones that are so hard to see and remove!)  Am I headed for trouble later on?  Does this bark degrade faster than other types? Peter

Response:

Thanks, SuE and Eric, I’m so glad I came back to this newsgroup!  I’ve just read about coconut chips on the ladyslipper.com website, and I’m going to try a few plants with the small quantity of chips that I already have.  My main problem through the years has been the medium degrading before repotting.  (The worst was when I tried a cork-and-charcoal mix that a speaker at our local orchid society was pushing!)  I hate repotting at less than a one-year interval, but sometimes it has seemed necessary.  It sounds like the coconut chips will make a big difference. My Rexius bark may end up as an expensive mulch out in the garden! Peter

Response:

Peter, I’ll throw my hat into the coconut husk chips ring, too, despite my personal preference for ceramic hydroponic media. CHC seems to last a long time without decomposing; with drier-growing stuff, it lasts a really long time.  I have a Den. biggibum in it in an 8" basket, and at this point it’s been almost 3 years since repotting, and I see no degradation at all. My Liparis viridiflora – currently in full bloom – is in a 6" plastic pot of 50% CHC, 25% each #3 perlite and medium charcoal, and just loves it. I, too, was sucked in by the cork fiasco several years ago.  It seems to be great, and then it apparently turns to mush overnight! — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks, SuE and Eric, I’m so glad I came back to this newsgroup!  I’ve just read about coconut chips on the ladyslipper.com website, and I’m going to try a few plants with the small quantity of chips that I already have.  My main problem through the years has been the medium degrading before repotting.  (The worst was when I tried a cork-and-charcoal mix that a speaker at our local orchid society was pushing!)  I hate repotting at less than a one-year interval, but sometimes it has seemed necessary.  It sounds like the coconut chips will make a big difference. My Rexius bark may end up as an expensive mulch out in the garden! Peter

Response:

Rexius bark is the absolute worst medium I have ever grown orchids in. First of all, it is full of splinters. As you said, its as bad as Opuntia spines. It degrades super quickly…..if you use it on paphs, repot at least every six months..no longer. I must admit though, that my phrags love it. Sequoia bark is much better, and at least a few months ago I was able to order it from Crystal River in Fla…(they are on the net) but you must ask for it when you order, otherwise you get Rexius. As I have said before, and others have just suggested, forget bark and go for coconut chips. They can’t be beat…the only drawback is the 24-48 hours of soaking to make sure that there isn’t any salt….but its worth the inconvenience when you see how well the plants grow and how few are dying with rotten roots! Take care, Eric Muehlbauer

Response:

SuE, thanks for the tip!  I had heard about coconut chips and wanted to try some, so I bought a small quantity last month when I ordered the fine bark.  So far I have only used them as an additive to the mix, and didn’t know about rinsing them!!!   Peter

Response:

Depending on what supplier’s you bought, there maybe a great deal of salt or next to none. We have mostly used it in Bob’s Paph mix. www.ladyslipper.com  We have also been having fun with Semi-Hydro. Read about it at www.firstrays.com.  Lots of options besides bark. SuE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SuE, thanks for the tip!  I had heard about coconut chips and wanted to try some, so I bought a small quantity last month when I ordered the fine bark.  So far I have only used them as an additive to the mix, and didn’t know about rinsing them!!! Peter

Response:

Have you tried Coconut Husk Chunks – CHC ? We are finding it is easier to work with, no splinters. Cactus Spines.. OUCH! It lasts a long time. Some people are reporting 3 years. The plants like the sponge effect that holds water available and allows air in as well. One caution.. When you start using it. RINSE and rinse again. Check the salt content no only of the shippers history, but of each and every batch. SuE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks, Rod.  I may end up repotting sooner than I expected!  Just last month I ran out of fine bark and couldn’t make it to the local nursery, so I mail ordered from Tropical Plant Products of Orlando, FL.  I just checked the brand–it’s Sequoia.  I hate paying the shipping, but I guess if only the Rexius stuff is available locally, then I’ll continue to buy from Tropical Plant Products.  But of course they may switch to Rexius, too, if Sequoia is hard to get.  If you’re interested, their phone number is 407-293-2451. I hope you’re doing OK with your health, Rod.  It’s been a long time since I’ve followed this news group–I remember there was some weird person (from Florida, as I recall) whose submissions bordered on the obscene, especially when he wrote to you!  Hope he’s gone now… Peter

Response:

Peter, it does indeed. And besides, it’s just the wrong size. The shape of it makes whatever size you’re using seem like one size smaller. So medium acts more like small. Others share this opinion, I know, but the last *I* heard, the ‘Sequoia’ brand out of California is no longer available to mail order. THAT is the GOOD stuff! -Rod- Last spring I bought about 2 cu ft of Rexius bark from my local orchid nursery.  So far the only annoyance is that when I handle it I sometimes get stabbed with what feels like an opuntia cactus spine (those tiny ones that are so hard to see and remove!)  Am I headed for trouble later on?  Does this bark degrade faster than other types? Peter

– Rod C. Venger – T4N0M0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma Facial Reconstructions 2-5-99, 3-13-00 http://www.vengers.com/model.jpg

Response:

Thanks, Rod.  I may end up repotting sooner than I expected!  Just last month I ran out of fine bark and couldn’t make it to the local nursery, so I mail ordered from Tropical Plant Products of Orlando, FL.  I just checked the brand–it’s Sequoia.  I hate paying the shipping, but I guess if only the Rexius stuff is available locally, then I’ll continue to buy from Tropical Plant Products.  But of course they may switch to Rexius, too, if Sequoia is hard to get.  If you’re interested, their phone number is 407-293-2451. I hope you’re doing OK with your health, Rod.  It’s been a long time since I’ve followed this news group–I remember there was some weird person (from Florida, as I recall) whose submissions bordered on the obscene, especially when he wrote to you!  Hope he’s gone now… Peter

Response:

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