I find this interesting. I've been growing jades and many other succulents for 50 years, both commercially and as a hobby, and never heard of mixing bark in the soil until recently. This is new to me.

I've noticed that same thing ("the bark most always seems to migrate to the top of the mix") when I use repti-bark. I think at least for me its because they seem to be slightly larger pieces than the "pine bark" and seems lighter (fir bark) in weight...but maybe it just seems like it?

I'm lucky enough to find mine at a local WM for a very large bag under $3...there is a LOT of very fine and larger size mixed in so I do haver to sift a LOT.

Here's what my Pine Bark pieces looks like after sifting...

Here's the bag I buy...

Yes, I agree with both of you :-)

When the bark is larger than optimum, the smaller ingredients tend to migrate lower
in the mix/container. When potting, care must be taken to fill the container with an evenly
distributed mix of particles. As I pot, I keep stirring my mix so that I don't have small stuff
on the bottom and large stuff on top.

Wetting the mix helps to get the ingredients to "cling" to eachother and stay in "suspension,"
as it were.

In the comparison bark image, the larger particles on the left will work perfectly for Orchids,
Hoyas, Holiday Cacti. The smaller bark on the left is the one you should use for the Gritty Mix -
although it still seems to be on the large side, honestly.

Josh

"Wetting the mix helps to get the ingredients to "cling" to each other and stay in "suspension,"
as it were."

That's good advise Josh. I sometimes forget to do that when I use the gritty mix...I get in a hurry sometimes,lol... Thanks!!