Substrate

Orchiata Precision Pine Bark, 3-6mm, 5L

Name: Orchiata Pine Bark for Bonsai 3-6mm, 5L
Brand: Bonsai Supplies
SKU: precision-pine-bark-orchiata-5l
Price: 34.95 AUD
Availability: InStock

Aged New Zealand pine bark (Pinus radiata), 3-6mm.

AU$34.95

Free shipping · Dispatched within 3 business days, usually sooner

Orchiata is aged New Zealand Pinus radiata bark, pH balanced and slow to break down. The 3-6mm grade adds structure and organic matter to inorganic mixes and helps hold nutrients between feeds. Commonly used as the organic part of a bonsai mix alongside akadama and pumice; also suits orchids. 5 litre bag.

How much do I need?

15 × 11 × 5 cm potunder 1 L
20 × 15 × 6 cm potabout 2 L
30 × 22 × 8 cm potabout 5 L
40 × 30 × 9 cm potabout 10 L

Approximate fill, measured as pot length × width × depth. Allow extra for a drainage layer in deeper pots.

Particle size3-6mm
Volume5 litres
CategorySoil & substrate

What Orchiata is

Orchiata is New Zealand Pinus radiata bark, aged and graded rather than raw. The ageing stabilises it: it is pH balanced, slow to break down, and does not pull nitrogen out of the mix the way fresh bark does. This is the 3-6mm grade, matching the particle size of the substrates it is blended with.

What it does in a bonsai mix

Bark is the organic part of a mix. Inorganic substrates drain freely but hold few nutrients between feeds; a share of bark adds organic matter that holds nutrients and a little extra moisture, while the 3-6mm particle keeps the mix's open structure intact.

Using it

A standard all-purpose blend is equal parts akadama (or Sakadama), Japanese pumice and this bark. Use a smaller share of bark for conifers and other trees that prefer a drier root zone. If you would rather not blend your own, Keith's Mix already includes it.

Orchids too

Orchiata was developed as an orchid bark, and the 3-6mm grade suits fine-rooted orchids as a potting medium on its own.