sorry i didn't clarify. i'm using the orchid fir bark to for my blueberry bush. i only bought the orchid mix because i couldn't find fir bark anywhere else. It should work fine, but is larger than ideal. All this means is you will need to water a bit more often. If you are OK with that, all is well. When it comes to particle size, it's not just about the length/width, it is also about how the individual particles pack together. Lack of uniformity in shape is desirable and this results in particles that have difficulty compressing together and thus open air spaces result. Jane says: Different size bark or stone leaves large air spaces. Most orchid roots would rot if buried in any type gritty or soil mix. Different sizes do not necessarily leave large air spaces. Different shapes do. If we were to take particles where half were 1/8th inch squares and the rest were 1" squares they would eventually compact to make a solid block. The smaller squares would simply fill in the spaces between any larger squares. If our shapes are squares, circles, triangles and etc. then they have a very hard time fitting together like puzzle pieces and sealing up air passageways. The mean size of the particles is important, but once that size is achieved it's more important to have irregular shapes than shapes capable of fitting together and filling in those air spaces.

Be aware that pine bark deteriorates far more quickly than fir and has to be replaced every six months or less as opposed to the fir bark which can go a year or two. Have you used pine bark and found this to be the case? I've used both pine and fir bark in my mixes and have never noticed any difference in longevity. In addition, there are probably hundreds of people that have been using pine bark for Al's gritty mix described over on the container forum for several years now, and I've never heard them complain about the pine bark breaking down quickly.

I find that you can't trust the labels on plants from lowes, I have a phal from lowes that was marked as a cattleya, I do know what a cattleya looks like and this was not what the label said, when I got in and in a new pot and mix I found the right tag in the bottom of the pot, Bear

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.