Obtaining and preparing orchid bark

[W Shaw]

Getting ready to switch my guy to orchid bark if I can get it. I've called every garden center, nursery, landscaper, and farm coop in this town and the next and even the garden clubs can't give me any idea where else to look. No one seems to have it online other than reptibark & I'm not sure I can afford $50 a month for reptibark. But I haven't given up yet. I found one place that had it -- but would only sell it by the pallet & I have no where to store a pallet of it. Anyone found a good source for it?

In the meantime, I'm wondering how it's normally prepared for use. Does it go in as is and get misted, or is it soaked?

 

[Yvonne G]

I buy mine at a hardware store that's only local in California. Try to find an orchid club in your state. They should know where to buy it. If you can't find actual 'orchid bark' then try to find fir bark. It's the same thing only you're assured orchid bard is clean and pure.

 

[dannylozano10]

Same problem with me I can't find a big bag at least

 

[Yvonne G]

I just did a Google search, "Where can I buy orchid bark?" and one of the results showed a True Value hardware store. Black Gold is the brand I buy here at Orchard's Supply Hardware. So if one True Value store sells it, maybe you can talk to your local True Value and see if they can order it for you. The bag I buy is maybe a cubic foot for about $9. If they'll order it for you, be sure to ask for the small pieces, not medium or large.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Do you know where there is a Home Depot?

 

[W Shaw]

I just did a Google search, "Where can I buy orchid bark?" and one of the results showed a True Value hardware store. Black Gold is the brand I buy here at Orchard's Supply Hardware. So if one True Value store sells it, maybe you can talk to your local True Value and see if they can order it for you. The bag I buy is maybe a cubic foot for about $9. If they'll order it for you, be sure to ask for the small pieces, not medium or large.

Do you know where there is a Home Depot?

Sadly, no True Value or Home Depot closer than an hour's drive (and me without a car...) but knowing the brand, maybe I can buy it online. Thanks for the info!

 

[Yvonne G]

Trouble with buying online is the shipping. Substrate costs a mint to ship. And Amazon.com has my orchid bark, same size and everything, but my $9 bag costs $43 on Amazon. That's ridiculous.

 

[W Shaw]

Trouble with buying online is the shipping. Substrate costs a mint to ship. And Amazon.com has my orchid bark, same size and everything, but my $9 bag costs $43 on Amazon. That's ridiculous.

Yeah I finally found some online --- they were going to charge $52 shipping, so it would have cost over a hundred to do his enclosure. Checked everywhere within about an hour and a half drive, including True Value with no luck.

 

[Pokeymeg]

I was just looking at obtaining orchid bark as well...so far my search has led to petmountain.com (I've never ordered from them, so no idea how service is). It's roughly $18/cft, but it's free shipping over $75, which is a pretty good deal! They also have a 'bulk' option, that gives you 3 big bags (2.79 cft) for $50. If you can afford to buy several bags at once, the savings on shipping costs makes it worth it. Since I haven't found bark locally, I may lean towards this option.

 

[W Shaw]

I was just looking at obtaining orchid bark as well...so far my search has led to petmountain.com (I've never ordered from them, so no idea how service is). It's roughly $18/cft, but it's free shipping over $75, which is a pretty good deal! They also have a 'bulk' option, that gives you 3 big bags (2.79 cft) for $50. If you can afford to buy several bags at once, the savings on shipping costs makes it worth it. Since I haven't found bark locally, I may lean towards this option.

I think I'd go with the bulk, but the cost difference between that and what I'm using is incredible. $50 would probably do the job, but then you'd have to buy another one to get the free shipping, so a full substrate change only once a month would mean my entire grocery budget for the month would have to go to substrate, which is a little scary!

 

[lisa127]

I can't get it around here either.

 

[Tom]

Lowes carries a product called "Pathway Bark". I've used it for years. It costs about $5 for 2.0 cubic feet of it. Next time I pass by my Garden centers, I'll stop and snap a pic of the orchid bark bags for you. Its really easy to find here.

 

[W Shaw]

Lowes carries a product called "Pathway Bark". I've used it for years. It costs about $5 for 2.0 cubic feet of it. Next time I pass by my Garden centers, I'll stop and snap a pic of the orchid bark bags for you. Its really easy to find here.

That would be brilliant! Maybe I can find a Lowe's next time I get over the mountains!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Why would you need to change out all of your substrate every month?

 

[Pokeymeg]

I think I'd go with the bulk, but the cost difference between that and what I'm using is incredible. $50 would probably do the job, but then you'd have to buy another one to get the free shipping, so a full substrate change only once a month would mean my entire grocery budget for the month would have to go to substrate, which is a little scary!

Why are you going through so much substrate? You shouldn't need to do more than spot clean it... Substrate should last you several months with proper care. Some folks only change out substrate once a year.

 

[Tom]

Why are you going through so much substrate? You shouldn't need to do more than spot clean it... Substrate should last you several months with proper care. Some folks only change out substrate once a year.

I don't ever change mine unless the old inhabitants leave and I'm using the enclosure for new tortoises.

 

[Pokeymeg]

Lowes carries a product called "Pathway Bark". I've used it for years. It costs about $5 for 2.0 cubic feet of it. Next time I pass by my Garden centers, I'll stop and snap a pic of the orchid bark bags for you. Its really easy to find here.

Is this it, Tom?
http://m.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Time-2...u-ft-Dark-Brown-Bark-Pine-Bark-Mulch/3731889=

It says it has pine in it as well as fir. I thought pine was bad for tortoises? Or maybe I'm thinking of cedar? It's actually in stock near me, which is rare. Garden centers near me rarely have anything but fake/rubber mulch.

 

[Tom]

Is this it, Tom?
http://m.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Time-2...u-ft-Dark-Brown-Bark-Pine-Bark-Mulch/3731889=

It says it has pine in it as well as fir. I thought pine was bad for tortoises? Or maybe I'm thinking of cedar? It's actually in stock near me, which is rare. Garden centers near me rarely have anything but fake/rubber mulch.

That is the same package as the one I use, but mine did not list pine as an ingredient. They might have changed the formula over the years. I'd have to see the actual product to know if it was the same stuff.

 

[lisa127]

I think it must depend on the area of the country you live. Around here I can find pine bark but not orchid bark. Which would be my choice of substrate if it were available to me.

 

[lisa127]

I was just looking at obtaining orchid bark as well...so far my search has led to petmountain.com (I've never ordered from them, so no idea how service is). It's roughly $18/cft, but it's free shipping over $75, which is a pretty good deal! They also have a 'bulk' option, that gives you 3 big bags (2.79 cft) for $50. If you can afford to buy several bags at once, the savings on shipping costs makes it worth it. Since I haven't found bark locally, I may lean towards this option.

Have you looked I to lllreptile? They may have bulk bark bedding.