ABG Component - Fine Orchid Bark

[UncleChester]

I wasn't able to find fine orchid bark either. And I'll tell you what, putting medium sized orchid bark into a food processor results in medium sized pieces of bark stuck to the blades and an interrogation from the other half. So my soil mix uses medium sized orchid bark, some with blade marks on them. It's to help prevent the soil from compressing, and will still do it's job if medium sized.

I use that same lump charcoal found in your link, practically free in bags that size. Can get messy when broken down with a meat hammer in the kitchen, so best to do that outside.

Take the advice of that second post in your link, wear a mask during all this! The peat moss is also nasty when the bales are dry, once disturbed they spew forth a fine peat mist designed to coat your lungs. If the bales are wet, they're also nasty as they now weigh several metric tons.

My mix isn't really ABG though, I have no tree fern fiber and also include leaf mould from the forest.

[deranged chipmunk]

I wasn't able to find fine orchid bark either. And I'll tell you what, putting medium sized orchid bark into a food processor results in medium sized pieces of bark stuck to the blades and an interrogation from the other half. So my soil mix uses medium sized orchid bark, some with blade marks on them. It's to help prevent the soil from compressing, and will still do it's job if medium sized.

I use that same lump charcoal found in your link, practically free in bags that size. Can get messy when broken down with a meat hammer in the kitchen, so best to do that outside.

Take the advice of that second post in your link, wear a mask during all this! The peat moss is also nasty when the bales are dry, once disturbed they spew forth a fine peat mist designed to coat your lungs. If the bales are wet, they're also nasty as they now weigh several metric tons.

My mix isn't really ABG though, I have no tree fern fiber and also include leaf mould from the forest.

Rotf!!! You really put it in the food processor? My wife would have killed me for that. Lol i bough one of those ninja food processors for chopping up tank stuff. Well worth the $40 or so. It also has a spice grinding attachment that works great on harder stuff.

I totally agree with Brian on the mask, but with one exception, get a respirator. Even a cheapo one with dual filters on it is better than those crappy dust masks. They won't block spores, but the filtered ones should do a better job for your lungs.

Personally, i don't use abg mix, i have other stuff that i use/make. But the abg is great, if you don't mind all the effort.

[Happy Frog]

One other thing...How come no uses a little bit of sand in their ABG/soil mixes? Wouldn't adding a little sand help avoid compaction and let the soil breathe a little?

[deranged chipmunk]

actually, after having water run through the substrate, it would just eventually work it's way down to the mesh and compact there. i always add in some coco husk in my soil to prevent compaction. i do that no matter what soil i am using., but i only use it when i need the soil to drain very well.