Orchid bark????

J H

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I went to bachmans my local garden center and bought orchid bard (fine grade) and put it in Roxys tank on top of the organic soil. It had a very strong smell not like pine but very strong. The bag didn't list what kind of wood it was so I took it out to be safe. I got all but a few chunks out and some of the dust. Does anyone know if this brand is ok? Tropical forest image.jpeg
 

Tom

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The ingredients should be listed. It should say "Fir bark."

Unless that is a tiny bag, that doesn't look like fine grade.
 

J H

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This is a generic photo. There is NO ingredients listed anywhere on the bag at all. The stuff I bought was fine grade. Very Small chips.
 

Tom

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Hmmm…

If you are unsure about it, the safe bet would be to get something else. Perhaps you could find another different type that does list the ingredients and compare the two.
 

J H

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I removed as much as possible. I just left the organic dirt in the enclosure. I think I'll just stick with that. It's a mess but safer than the alternative. Do I need to remove the dirt also? Is it contaminated?
 

Tom

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I removed as much as possible. I just left the organic dirt in the enclosure. I think I'll just stick with that. It's a mess but safer than the alternative. Do I need to remove the dirt also? Is it contaminated?

We don't know that anything was wrong with what you had, so I would not consider anything contaminated.

And orchid bark is safer than soil anyway.

Its just that you aren't sure that what you've got there is plain, regular orchid bark, and I can't tell from way over here.
 

J H

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I'll see if anywhere else local sells bark. If needed I'll go to a pet store. Prices are higher which is fine but that's fine. Just want it to be safe!!!
 

Speedy-1

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I'll see if anywhere else local sells bark. If needed I'll go to a pet store. Prices are higher which is fine but that's fine. Just want it to be safe!!!
I never had any luck finding Orchid Bark in my area . I bought "Reptibark" at Petsmart it was more expensive , but it has worked fine for me . Sometimes you have no choice but to go with what is available to you !
 

Tortoisefanatic88

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I never had any luck finding Orchid Bark in my area . I bought "Reptibark" at Petsmart it was more expensive , but it has worked fine for me . Sometimes you have no choice but to go with what is available to you !

This is the route I had to go as well. I've been to a few different places with no luck.
 

shehick

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Amazon has reptibark (orchid bark) for $15/24qts I couldn't find it locally either so I went that route.
 

J H

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I just took all the soil out and went with coco coir. Cheap and readily available
 

Myakoda

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The ingredients should be listed. It should say "Fir bark."

Unless that is a tiny bag, that doesn't look like fine grade.
Hi Tom, I'm ordering Orchid bark again. I think this is one you recommended. However it doesn't say organic like last time? I will order if ok, after hearing from you. It's been awhile since we ordered some, looks the same. I'm concerned it doesn't say 100%, or organic. Perhaps they changed the labeling? I found this on Amazon. Also Mya's home will be finished soon, yay!! Happy New Year!
 

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Tom

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Hi Tom, I'm ordering Orchid bark again. I think this is one you recommended. However it doesn't say organic like last time? I will order if ok, after hearing from you. It's been awhile since we ordered some, looks the same. I'm concerned it doesn't say 100%, or organic. Perhaps they changed the labeling? I found this on Amazon. Also Mya's home will be finished soon, yay!! Happy New Year!
Label says "100% fir bark" and "fine grade", so it looks okay to me.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Do you have a HOME DEPOT nearby?
These are what I use
And it's very inexpensive
Just a few bucks
It has no strong smell and has been very a consistent quality over the years.
Get the pure POTTING MEDIA
Not the one that say POTTING MIX. It has other ingredients in it.
 

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Myakoda

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Label says "100% fir bark" and "fine grade", so it looks okay to me.
Have you used this paticular one? I remember ordering the same one last year, the only difference was it said organic on the bag. If there's a brand you use, would you mind posting? Then I'll check for that brand before I order. Thank you Tom.
 

Tom

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Have you used this paticular one? I remember ordering the same one last year, the only difference was it said organic on the bag. If there's a brand you use, would you mind posting? Then I'll check for that brand before I order. Thank you Tom.
I get mine here at a local nursery. Nobody els seems to be able to get it elsewhere.
Orchid Bark.JPG
 

Chubbs the tegu

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I guess it depends on where ur at. Its hard to find it in the east coast in bulk. I also notice that cypress seems to absorb the water better in my experience.. i find myself having to turn the mulch more often since i switched over to orchid bark
 

Chubbs the tegu

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But i like that its more uniform and doesnt have the the chance of sharp edges causing injury. So i guess both have pros and cons
 

Tom

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I guess it depends on where ur at. Its hard to find it in the east coast in bulk. I also notice that cypress seems to absorb the water better in my experience.. i find myself having to turn the mulch more often since i switched over to orchid bark
I don't turn mine ever. I just dump water into as needed. The lower layers stay wetter and the top is dry-ish.
 

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