Is Home Depot Orchid Potting Mix a safe substrate for the tortoise?

[Jasminemmm]

Hi~

I've heard a lots of good review of Orchid bark as substrate on this forum. I went to Home Depot to purchase some and can only find orchid potting mix like the picture below. Is this safe? This is not made for tortoise bedding.

 

[Blackdog1714]

You want more of a fine fir bark and that also has fertilizers in it for plant growth. Cheapest will be a thick bed of Cypress (Home Depot or Lowes) covered with a thin layer of Reptibark (Petco/Petsmart) i find this combo to be very effective and cost efficient. Bags of fine fir bark on the west coast can be found in garden centers for around $20-$30 for a big mulch bag size. I am in RVA so no chance for me!

 

[Mrs.Jennifer]

Miracle Grow products contain fertilizer. That's why it says that it "feeds for up to 6 months."

 

[ZEROPILOT]

No
Not the potting MIX.
It has extra "stuff" in it.(fertilizer, water holding granules, etc)
Get this from Home Depot.
The pure potting MEDIA. It is entirely Orchid bark.
These where both purchased there.

 

[Jasminemmm]

No
Not the potting MIX.
It has extra "stuff" in it.(fertilizer, water holding granules, etc)
Get this from Home Depot.
The pure potting MEDIA. It is entirely Orchid bark.
These where both purchased there.

Thank you, this is very helpful. I will go there and ask for this particular product.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thank you, this is very helpful. I will go there and ask for this particular product.

Its outside in the garden area where the orchids for sale are.
It's also fairly inexpensive

 

[Jasminemmm]

Miracle Grow products contain fertilizer. That's why it says that it "feeds for up to 6 months."

Thanks. I will buy this for my plant instead.

 

[Jasminemmm]

You want more of a fine fir bark and that also has fertilizers in it for plant growth. Cheapest will be a thick bed of Cypress (Home Depot or Lowes) covered with a thin layer of Reptibark (Petco/Petsmart) i find this combo to be very effective and cost efficient. Bags of fine fir bark on the west coast can be found in garden centers for around $20-$30 for a big mulch bag size. I am in RVA so no chance for me!

Thanks for the advice. I will look into that.