Orchid Bark

[Vincenza]

I've been looking into switching my substrate to orchid bark. I found this stuff online since there aren't any stores near me that sell it, and called to confirm that it is 100% fir bark. Are the chips the right size for an adult male Russian tort? Also, do you need to mix it with water or anything before going in the enclosure? I've seen orchid bark get great reviews on this site, I'm just not sure how to actually use it, if you know what I mean.

 

[Tom]

Looks perfect. Clean too.

You can add water before, during or after.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I love the stuff. I place a layer of potting soil or compost on top and water in through the corners. The bark will absorb the moisture leaving you with high humidity and a dry(ish) top layer for your tort.
Don't use top soil for the top layer. Too much sand.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Just keep it damp, but not wet to aid humidity and spot clean when your tortoise poops.
Looks nice.

 

[SoCalGreek]

I've been looking into switching my substrate to orchid bark. I found this stuff online since there aren't any stores near me that sell it, and called to confirm that it is 100% fir bark. Are the chips the right size for an adult male Russian tort? Also, do you need to mix it with water or anything before going in the enclosure? I've seen orchid bark get great reviews on this site, I'm just not sure how to actually use it, if you know what I mean.

Hi there-
I know this post was a long while ago, but I’m hoping you can dig up the name of the bark you use/used. I followed the link, but the company was rebranded and the website isn’t working any longer. I have an adult male Greek and have struggled to find a really good substrate for him. Thanks in advance for any advice you can share.

 

[Glosseryck]

Hi there-
I know this post was a long while ago, but I’m hoping you can dig up the name of the bark you use/used. I followed the link, but the company was rebranded and the website isn’t working any longer. I have an adult male Greek and have struggled to find a really good substrate for him. Thanks in advance for any advice you can share.

Hello! I have an adult Greek male and I use bark for him
So honestly, I would recommend getting some from a flower shop. Just make sure nothing is added to it. I got a big bag of 40L for 4 bucks, it's perfect. As long as the pieces are big and there's nothing added, you can't really go wrong with what kind of bark it is. My greek absolutely loves his bark, I really hope you switch because I can really tell the difference it's made in my torts happiness. Good luck!

 

[Tom]

Hi there-
I know this post was a long while ago, but I’m hoping you can dig up the name of the bark you use/used. I followed the link, but the company was rebranded and the website isn’t working any longer. I have an adult male Greek and have struggled to find a really good substrate for him. Thanks in advance for any advice you can share.

In SoCal you should be able to find fine grade orchid bark in bulk at local plant nurseries. I use this one, but there are others:

 

[SoCalGreek]

In SoCal you should be able to find fine grade orchid bark in bulk at local plant nurseries. I use this one, but there are others:
View attachment 322676

Thank you!

 

[timus]

I’m currently putting together a sealed chamber for 4 western hermanns I’ll came coming later this summer. I originally planned to go with a mix of top soil and coco with a 2 inch layer of cypress on top. After having read through some things on here I think I would just rather go with a straight orchid bark substrate. I’m not sure as to what size bark to go with and also how much would I need to do a 8x2 chamber with around 4 inches of bark. Hoping someone knowledgeable can drop so guidance here?

 

[Sarah2020]

I use straight orchid bark. Out if the bag and for the first week or so the product is damp but as that dries out I spray with a water sprayer morning and night. If the enclosure is enclosed your aiming for humidity to help smooth shell growth.

 

[timus]

I was wondering what size orchid bark and was hoping maybe someone could help with how much I would need to cover a 8x2 with 4 inches of substrate.

 

[Tom]

I was wondering what size orchid bark and was hoping maybe someone could help with how much I would need to cover a 8x2 with 4 inches of substrate.

Fine grade.

4.0 cu. ft. will give you about 4 inches in an 8x2' enclosure.

 

[timus]

Thank you so much Tom! I was hoping you would chime in!

 

[timus]

Tom what’s your view on the size of the enclosure to start them in? I believe I read on here that you or someone else said smaller is better for hatchlings and the breeder said to go smaller at first. I planned to start them in half of the 8x2 then open it up fully after they grow just a bit.

 

[lmartin999]

Hi all. Looking at change the soil substrate for my 4" Hermann. In Canada and found this, would appreciate any advice. thanks

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca

 

[Louise.margo]

Hi everyone I am a new tortoise mum I’ve had my tort for around 2 months now, he was 6 months when I got him. I was given hemp bedding but like saw dust as a substrate when I purchased him, but something was telling me this wasn’t right, after some research I found that most people were saying it’s very bad for them, so I quickly changed this to sand/soil, but I noticed he wasn’t very active anymore and seemed a little unhappy, after doing more research I found people were using orchid bark, so I purchased some and added this ontop of the soil/sand substrate deep enough for him to burrow, he has been a lot more active and happy since, he burrows under his coconut shell around the same time each night and he has his own little routine now, but I just wanted to come on here and ask peoples for opinions on the soil/sand with thr orchid bark ontop, is this a good substrate for a 8 month old Herman tortoise? Am I doing this right? I just wanted to make sure I am doing this right in his best interests, is there anything I should change? I will appreciate any advice, thank you

 

[Sarah2020]

Hello and welcome. What species is your tortoise? I use orchid bark and find it brilliant. Sand and soil can get injested as it gets trodden onto food and cause compaction in their stomach. I tried coconut coir but found it messy in the water and food. For a hatchling I recommend to use the small orchid bark as 100% substrate and as the tort gets larger you can move to larger or a mix of both. You can spot clean and it last for 3 month or so. You can move it around and rearrange easily. Tortoise hate change do make changes and then stop. I see your in the UK, there are many Brits in this forum. I buy orchid bark from swell reptiles 20L or reptibark. Please ask questions as required.

 

[Louise.margo]

Hello thank you for your reply, my tort is a Herman’s tortoise, he is around 8 months old, I have left the sand/soil on the bottom under the bark to help with humidity and burrowing, the food is on slate ontop of the bark and as there is a thick layer of bark it doesn’t go onto his food, but before I added the bark which I purchased from a reptile store on eBay the sand/soil doesn’t go onto his food anymore but it did before I added the bark, he seems very happy and settled now, do you think I should leave the substrate how I have done it? He likes to burrow under the bark in his coconut shell in the evenings, thank you for your advice it is much appreciated

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the Forum!

TF has the most up-to-date methods of caring for your tortoise. Most of what you will find online and hear from other sites is old one-size-fits-all (it doesn't), and does NOT strive for the optimal, most healthy long-term health and happiness of your tortoise. Let all of that go and settle in here instead.

Please get rid of the sand immediately. It can cause gastro-Intestinal blockages and kill your tortoise. Old info said it was ok, the experts here at the Tortoise Forum have discovered better ways.


Here is a really useful guide to read:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

For the first two to three years of life every species of tortoise needs high humidity and warm temperatures. What are your current readings on these? A good rule of thumb is mid-80sF/29C, and mid-80%s humidity. To maintain this with ease you will need an enclosed chamber, otherwise it is like trying to heat your own home with all the doors and windows open. All your efforts escape into the external atmosphere.


Here is another good link to read through:

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

The best substrate is either three to four inches of slightly wet coco coir with an additional three or four inches of Orchid Bark on top, or just several inches of Orchid Bark with the lowest inch or so of which is slightly wet.


Here are a couple good links to peruse :

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Sorry for the overwhelming amount of info, but take your time and read through it. Ask questions (it would be good to set up your own thread so that you don't have to hunt all over the place for the answers).

You've found the best place for tortoise info!

Welcome aboard!

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