One tip in finding a suitable PBF is do not get hung up on the term "Fines" I asked everywhere and all said no, a few looked at me as if I sprouted an eyestalk out of the top of my head! even when I described what I was using it for! I actually found suitable material at all most every one of those places (except the big box stores) that said they didn't have it or know any place to get it! Get to know what you are looking for, and look for it yourself instead of asking the store or garden center! Look for "Pine Bark Mulch" (NOT nuggets or mini muggets) flip the bag over and read the small print on the back or side of the bag. If it says "can be used as a soil conditioner" or particle size "1/2 inch to dust" or "100% pine bark" it is probably at least 65% useable product. My current source, AGWAY Pine Bark Mulch, is approaches 90% usable material, and nowhere on the bag will you find the term "fines"

esox07: Just went on the computer and read your posting. I hope that you found what you need. Please let us know if this bark product can be used to make the quick-draining, gritty-planting medium....the '"bark-fines" part. I guess the price is not that high considering the Repti-Bark is $20.00 a bag... and you can always use the leftovers in the future if you make too much potting mix. Just a bit more information....There's a product called: "Micro Bark" made by GreenAll but it's mainly found only on the West-Coast, and a few other states. This might help others who live in these locations. No distributors/retailers in NYC area! Why???? Who knows? Bruce,...Good luck with the peppers. I hope I helped you and others. In addition: Some posters on this thread chose to misquote and misrepresent some of the information which I posted ... especially about the subject regarding the gritty-mix, potting mediums. The purpose of these forums is to openly exchange opinions, information, and ideas... and to do so without invective, and snide recommendations, if you happen to disagree with that posted information.

sopamanda- No wonder you were confused- I also googled for Worleys location and was ready to drive to downtown Tulsa, but fortunately I called to make sure of their location. The google location is in error. They are located st 7400 S Owasso Expressway (Hiway 169) in Owasso. Anyone who is not familiar with them MUST check them out. Their nursery is HUGH! They grow their own container annuals, tomatoes,etc. and have all kinds of soil conditioners. This is not a plug for them, but I have gardened in Oklahoma for decades and have never met anyone so knowledgeable and helpful as Doug Worley. If they do not have it, they will order it for you. I ended up buying the Pro-Mix, some pine bark fines, Worleys own container mix, and straw. They are concerned about the misleading address, but have not been able to get it corrected. They also have a nursery in Skiatook, and someplace else that I do not remember. Ron Z

I know this isn't my convo, but oh well;). Aloebot, I just wanted to say it's funny you said leave the nice looking common ones and go for the rare that you only come across every 5 years. When standing in line waiting to pay I always make new friends and check out what people are buying. I do see lots of people buy common plants, and I always want to say something like "Are you sure you want to buy that;)?Have you seen the other plants." I'm not knocking common plants because some of my fav plants are very common, but a show is where a person can go to find some really cool stuff. But I guess I should be happy people buy the more common because that leaves the less common for me to buy;). Also there's always a vendor or two that I swear go to Home Depot and Lowes a couple weeks prior so they can buy gallon pots for $6 and then split those gallon pots up into thirds and sell those bits for $6;). I wish I lived down there so I could meet up with some very cool people;).