How to break down Pine Bark

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Does anyone have a method of breaking down pine bark? Nobody sells pine bark in my area. So I ended up stripping a four foot piece off a massive old pine tree that had just been cut down. I than let it age six months in my garage.

I've been cutting pieces off with a jigsaw than pounding it with a hammer to make them into a usable particle size, but this method takes forever.

I'm hoping someone has a better way. Or repotting season is going to be rough!! Haha
 

AlainK

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For Pines, and Larch, wrapping them in raffia for the winter, and later, gets very good results...
 

Firstflush

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You can dig a hole and bury it. Mix a little native soil in to kick off the bacteria, fungus and other microbes. Add a little water.
 

rockm

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Does anyone have a method of breaking down pine bark? Nobody sells pine bark in my area. So I ended up stripping a four foot piece off a massive old pine tree that had just been cut down. I than let it age six months in my garage.

I've been cutting pieces off with a jigsaw than pounding it with a hammer to make them into a usable particle size, but this method takes forever.

I'm hoping someone has a better way. Or repotting season is going to be rough!! Haha
Check out Orchid soil--the "fine" grade . It is typically made from conifer bark. Additionally bagged soil amendments made to break up clay soil can also be made from composted pine bark. Skip making this stuff on your own, you won't get much useable material-unless you grind it up in a meat grinder. Not much return for the effort.

 
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Check out Orchid soil--the "fine" grade . It is typically made from conifer bark. Additionally bagged soil amendments made to break up clay soil can also be made from composted pine bark. Skip making this stuff on your own, you won't get much useable material-unless you grind it up in a meat grinder. Not much return for the effort.

Unfortunately I don't think it's worth shipping to Canada.

Good to know, Homedepot has this Orchid mix, I'll give it a try.

 

jonf

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home depot orchid mix will be much larger particle size than the reptibark. reptibark works good. You can also check nurseries for pine fines soil conditioners, one of my local ones carries this and it's an absolute steal:
 

Tums

Shohin
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Unfortunately I don't think it's worth shipping to Canada.

Good to know, Homedepot has this Orchid mix, I'll give it a try.

The orchid mixes I've bought from big box stores have had gigantic pieces of bark. I think you want a fine/seedling orchid mix instead. Sorry I don't know any Canadian suppliers, maybe you can try searching for orchiata which is a fancy brand which has a "precision" grade that can come in 40L bags.
 
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The orchid mixes I've bought from big box stores have had gigantic pieces of bark. I think you want a fine/seedling orchid mix instead. Sorry I don't know any Canadian suppliers, maybe you can try searching for orchiata which is a fancy brand which has a "precision" grade that can come in 40L bags.
Thank you so much!!!

I found a Canadian supplier. I bought two 35L bags, should hold me off for awhile. Seems pricey but beggars can't be choosers!


I love this forum, and all you enthusiasts who take time to answer our questions!
 

rockm

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Unfortunately I don't think it's worth shipping to Canada.

Good to know, Homedepot has this Orchid mix, I'll give it a try.

Doesn't have to be this exact brand. Do a search on "Orchid nursery" or similar to find in your area. Make sure it's "fine" grade. Also Joe D's suggestion about organic compost pine mixes are good too. I used both orchid fines and a product that Home Depot used to sell that was for breaking up clay soil. It was mostly composted pine bark. Search for similar products.
 

penumbra

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I have been using Bonsai Jack Pine Fines from Amazon. Two gallons is $30. It is very nice quality and needs no sifting. It is 1/4 inch. They used to have a larger bag that is what I bought but I can't find it now.
I do want to try the Lowes compost that has been suggested.
 

Leo in N E Illinois

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Thank you so much!!!

I found a Canadian supplier. I bought two 35L bags, should hold me off for awhile. Seems pricey but beggars can't be choosers!


I love this forum, and all you enthusiasts who take time to answer our questions!

I've known of Jay & Robin at "Raven Vision" in orchid circles for many years, their photography is well known. Definitely use them as a source of orchid grade bark.
 

Firstflush

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I guess I was confused. By “breaking down” I thought you meant “composting” for soil media use.
 

Wires_Guy_wires

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Does anyone have a method of breaking down pine bark? Nobody sells pine bark in my area. So I ended up stripping a four foot piece off a massive old pine tree that had just been cut down. I than let it age six months in my garage.

I've been cutting pieces off with a jigsaw than pounding it with a hammer to make them into a usable particle size, but this method takes forever.

I'm hoping someone has a better way. Or repotting season is going to be rough!! Haha
Cement tumblers with some bricks or other hard materials in them would crush em good.
Also a sound way to crush terracotta and other materials.
 
Messages
406
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Location
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
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The orchid mixes I've bought from big box stores have had gigantic pieces of bark. I think you want a fine/seedling orchid mix instead. Sorry I don't know any Canadian suppliers, maybe you can try searching for orchiata which is a fancy brand which has a "precision" grade that can come in 40L bags.
I got my two bags of Orchiata! Wow, what an amazing product! Perfectly sized 3/16 - 1/4, pieces, hardly any fines.

I've known of Jay & Robin at "Raven Vision" in orchid circles for many years, their photography is well known. Definitely use them as a source of orchid grade bark.
Excellent, service. I received my order the next day after ordering. I encourage anyone in Canada to take looks at this company.
 

cishepard

Shohin
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I got my two bags of Orchiata! Wow, what an amazing product! Perfectly sized 3/16 - 1/4, pieces, hardly any fines.


Excellent, service. I received my order the next day after ordering. I encourage anyone in Canada to take looks at this company.
What size/grade Orchiata did you get?
 
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