I have never ordered from Bonsai Jack but I have never heard bad things about them either. You would probably need quite a bit for you monstera. I'd imagine shipping would be a mint. You can try a hydroponics store, they might have orchid bark.

Thanks I use orchid bark but its Miracle grow brand. Soi guess I'll look for orchid bark made from somebody else lol

What are the ingredients in the MG? Some of their products aren't too bad. (Yes I really said that) It's just the potting soil I have problems recommending.

I think your money will be better spent if you go to a reputable nursery in your area and get a bag(s) of pine fines,. Don't be surprised though if the fines aren't so fine. Personally the coarser will not hurt or kill plants and will eventually decompose as part of a easy drain soil mix. I get a little impatient with the purists who suggest that if your mix isn't just so, your gardening efforts are doomed. Do you think .Mother Nature is that picky??? If you need convincing, just look around at the weeds that thrive in some forsaken hostile crevice. I think whatever you find locally will do. And don't be surprised or frustrated if nursery staff looks at you like you are speaking Martian, ha.

Mentha at first it was OK but now it seems peaty. The last bag I bought seemed different. The ingredients say processed forest bark and fertilizer. And I say some peat added in LOL.

BossyVossy my nurseries here don't sell pine bark fines. Both sell Fertilome products and peat based mixes they make themselves.

If you can't find pine bark fines, you can always do a 50/50 cheap potting soil and perlite. I say cheap because it probably won't have the water crystals or fertilizer in it.

Do you have Agway in your area? Personally, I think orchid bark is just not fine enough for a 5:1:1.

Dave, never heard of Agway LOL

Either way, you want pieces that are between 1/8-1/4". The orchid bark is usually much larger. Whatever you do end up with, you'll still probably have to do some sifting. And you'll want to remove any sapwood, too.

Grrrrrrr

Do I have to put lime in the 511 mix?

No the mix I gave above is a good starter mix for people that just can't find the ingredients for a 5:1:1.

If you make your own true 5:1:1 mix (pine bark / peat / perlite) yes, you should add lime.

Thanks. Now I have a question about the peat. Are sphagnum peat and sphagnum peat moss two different things???

I found the right size I'm just nervous about the lime. Is it true I can use gypsum and Epsom salts instead?

Personally I'd use lime. Dolomite lime is easy to fine. You can get a huge bag at lowes for under $5.

OK. Could you explain to me how to use it?

This is the lime I use:

I add about a tablespoon per gallon of soil. Or at least, that's how I've done the math.

And then I have to let the soil sit for two weeks before using it after lime is added?

I don't let it sit that long. Usually just a couple days.

I also order on Amazon (explained elsewhere; lack of car, options, etc. Amazon is the cheapest and most practical where I live) and I use Repti Bark. It's for reptile terrariums but I've seen it recommended elsewhere for gardening. No problems with it yet; loads of tropicals thriving in a totally "unnatural" environment.

Thanks Dave

the naturalist, I thought about Repti Bark but then I found what I was looking for!!!

What did you end up getting — the lime? (And can I get it on amazon? Hah I don't know if the local lowes even has lime in bags I could carry, if at all. Everything's "seasonal" here which makes no sense with indoor gardening.)

Most lowes will have the lime all year (probably outside though). If you look on there site, it'll usually tell you what aisle and bay it's located in. 40 lb bag was the smallest I found. Under $5 though!

Also, gypsum and Epsom salts work in the gritty mix. Lime is best for the 5:1:1. Sorry, little late. Was just clearing that up from earlier.

Thanks Dave you've been a big help!!! I'll probably have more questions when its time to mix it all up!!!

theNaturalist, I bought some Orchid bark on Amazon. I'll probably go to Lowes for the lime because its cheaper there!!!!

Ah which orchid bark did you get, if you don't mind? I got some at lowes once but the "fines" were way too big.

If you have a pet store near like Persmart or Petco, they sell fir bark in two size.

If you buy the pine bark mini nuggets at Lowes you can run them through a wood chipper to get a more desirable size.

RepotMe has good quality pine bark in several sizes

Most people don't have a wood chipper. That's quite the extra step!

LOL. I don't own one either. But a neighbor or family member might. Then again, I'm out in the sticks. A wood chipper is often considered an appropriate wedding gift.

Haha definitely no wood chippers in the city. I think I'm going to keep getting Repti bark on Amazon; ~$15 for 24 quarts is better than the prices I've found at petco, etc. The horticultural/orchid stuff I've seen much more expensive per amount.

That wood chipper comment is too funny LOL.

the naturalist, I'm glad you found something you like. I'll post a picture of what I got when it comes in.

I ended up getting a bag of orchid bark,a bowl and a good movie

I found some 1/8 inch orchid bark on Amazon

Ahh splendid

:-)

I have been using coarse orchid bark with peat and perlite and a pinch of lime (probably a mistake, but whatever), but I guess you could just crush the bark a bit with a sledgehammer to get a finer bark. Just a thought. My nursery doesn't have pine bark fines, either. Annoying.

Jamilalshaw26 would you mind sharing which product/ supplier did you recently bought on Amazon?

Orchiata.

I love orchiata! For the 511 I use the classic size. For my Hoyas I use precision size. I think it's the best stuff on the market. No added nutrients are necessary. It's pricey but not any more expensive than reptibark.

It is pricey but they seem to have it in every size and its ready to use right out the bag. I'm very pleased with it. Finally something that's just what it says it is!