I use Reptibark because I can get it on amazon. I like Coir fiber because I need extra water retention but I assume the chips would be great when you want more water to pass through.

I do. I want more water retention, but only just a bit more than what I have with plain pumice & chkn grit. I have used repti-bark in the past, but the particles were too large & needed to hand snip into appropriatappropriately sized pieces.

Thanks for the input...it looks like the particle size of the orchiata is 3/8, which is exactly what I'm looking for.

I use Orchiata in my mix sometimes. I've also used coco chips in some mixes where the plants want more moisture, but also good drainage (epi cactus, Thanksgiving/xmas cactus and the like, Citrus and Ficus trees). Oddly enough Edithcolea cuttings rooted well in coco fiber chips.

Experimenting now with Adenium in coco chips.

I use the Coconut Husk Chunks in my mix for young plants - mature. I have used Bark, but I have found for myself that if it is left for extented periods of time, it dries back and is very difficult to get moisture back into it.

I use Coconut Coir (thread-like) for starting seeds, cutting, etc., but too fine used in with the Gritty mix.

Rick

ahhh, I see...Rick, I've found the same thing with the repti-bark. SLD (ha ha!!) I think I'll start experimenting too. I have multiple adeniums of different ages, grown from seed, not that you'd ever know it from the way they look.

Very small and don't seem to look any different year to year...hard growing, stingy with water, only pumice and no fert....just outside in the spring and summer...

Looking to change my ways...my goal was to stop killing everything. I've achieved that, now, wishing for more.