@meyermike, yes its repti-bark. LOL. So yeah, its good to use? While at the pet store I looked at the aquarium rocks. I wonder if I could use the gravel in place of the Granite-i-grit (though the aquarium rocks did not list what kind of rocks they were.) What do you think? They also had some crushed coral - wonder if that would work in place of gypsum... Like I said, I'm doing this because I don't need 50lb bags of turface or granite grit. I'm pretty sure I can buy both of those at Agway but what am I gonna do with it all??? I've learned that Schultz Aquatic Soil is the same thing as Turface - love that it comes in a smaller bag - but cannot find it for the life of me! HD nor Lowes sells it (anymore!)

treeweaver, look for something labeled as "soil conditioner" - typically these bagged products are primarily bark fines or composted bark and will work just fine for the 5-1-1 mix. You can also often find the same material at pet stores sold as "reptile bedding", although it tends to be somewhat pricier. Specific brand names will vary widely in different parts of the country. FWIW, you are looking for a small bark product with an average diameter of about a dime (or the width of your pinkie nail). And it doesn't have to be pine - any good conifer bark will work - fir, pine, cedar, etc. Despite the previous comment, small bark is often sold as a mulch. And too finely ground a bark is NOT what you want for a potting mix - it's the coarseness that makes it a valuable component. Just make sure you are getting ground bark and not shredded bark :-)

Hi I grow most of my epi orchids mounted on cork or directly to trees . Those that are in pots I use crushed lava rock. The BIG problem I've had with pine bark is that it rots very quickly as well as holds too much water long term . They will definitely benefit from being outdoors as long as the weather holds.. I usually get daily rains during summer so need something that drains quickly hence the lava rock . It does have the disadvantage of drying too much during winter so need to supplement . But far easier to add water than take it away?? lol gary

jesus ,,,, i would have moved had she not taken it down ... how long a dead tree can stand.. is subject to the whim of nature and weather ... but pine is a soft wood ... so it could go faster ... anytine from death to 10 years .... but there are so many variables.. its really hard to give you any kind of direct answer ... e.g. we never really know if a tree is rotten inside.... until it is taken down ... ken