I understand your frustration, Kathleen. I have been able to find all of the products (well, with some "authorized" substitutes) for the gritty mix, but have been unable to find the pine bark fines for the 5:1:1 mix. I can't find pine bark mulch or shredded pine bark mulch here. I haven't checked at Walmart, but according to Walmart's web site, my local Walmarts don't sell ANY sort of mulch, just various Miracle-Gro bagged products. None of the big box stores in my area have pine bark mulch; they do sell pine bark nuggets, but those, of course, are way too big. In fact, none of the nurseries in the area at which I have checked sell pine bark mulch, either - it used to be available, but I haven't seen it in the last few years. Shredded cedar mulch seems to be the mulch of choice around here - there's plenty of that! I haven't been able to find any sort of pine bark soil conditioner, either. I guess we both just live in the wrong parts of the USA to make finding the supplies easy - or even possible! And the cost of shipping if ordering supplies on line would be prohibitive - I can't even contemplate doing so because I don't have the $$$ to spare. I have read some posts where people say that the Repti-Bark can be used for both mixes, but this product is definitely not partially composted so I have my doubts that this is what Al meant should be used in his 5:1:1 mix. Here is a quote from a post Al made in 2009 in reference to the bark in this mix: I like bark best, and the best size for the 5:1:1 mix is sawdust to 1/4" pieces and partially composted, with most of the particles concentrated in the 1/16-3/16 size. I'm NOT suggesting you go out looking for bark that fits this description, but it will give you an idea of what works best. Sigh. Holly

True norfolk island pine have large spacing between branches and are symmetrical. Their needle like foliage on the branches are also long a narrow. Btw... you can buy them in stores during holidays. They are frequently mixed up but we do have one that is a true Norfork island pine bought at meijer. Another helpful tip is the branches along the main terminal come out growing upward and then may level out or droop. The cook's branches immediately grow outward or downward. N. Island pine are also known for the dark green foliage and less peeking bark as they are not actual pine trees but are tropical. First photo is of our norfolk. It is 4-5years. Sunburns easily in direct sun. Needs high humidity otherwise drooping like this occurs. It recently changed locations due to a move and is not happy. Second photo is foliage. The top foliage is a cook and the second foliage is a norfolk island. I hope this helps.

It is very hard wood and is good for cooking/fire wood. If you are going to cut it up, do it while it is still green because once it dries out it will just eat up chainsaw chains. I think you can safely use the mulch on established trees and plants. You can use the logs to line beds or for rustic furniture. You could use parts to hang orchids and bromos in a huge "snag". I have seen huge ones with 5' boles completely hollowed out by rot and termites so be on the lookout for them.

I'm not sure that you're going about this the right way. Understanding how some of these allelopathic substances work (and where they are) is important. Fennel is a real interesting plant and can cause many different kinds of plants problems in a wide variety of ways. Since you are most interested in inhibiting seed germination, you need to use leaves (as in the leaf litter), and the seeds of this plant. Many different plants contain allelopathic chemicals within the oils of their seeds and/or seed hulls. Fennel is a prime example. But not all plants will be affected by this chemical reaction. You might have to experiment. Sunflower seed hulls are another example such as the one above. You are correct in that these chemical properties are found elsewhere within plants than the much advertised root exudates. But not from gases expelled from the leaves, but of leaf litter and/or water run-off from the foliage and stems. Pine straw, by the way, has been proved to have seed inhibition properties, but I've not ever seen a list of the affected (sensitive) plants. One product with a fairly wide range of effectiveness is corn gluten meal. I'm most familiar with its use on turf (lawns, sports fields), but is also highly recommended for other areas, as well.