Impressed with Orchiata ‘Precision’ pine bark chips

[cre8ivbonsai]

A while ago Craig mentioned Orchiata pine bark chips as a good quality product alternative to BioGro for those of us who compose our own potting mediums.

Last year I graded through two big bags of BioGro mini bark nuggets 5-8mm, and ended up with between 1/4 - 1/3 fines (less than 2mm).

This year I took Craig's advise, I've just finished grading though Orchiata ‘Precision’ 3-6mm and 'Classic' 6-10mm and was very impressed, it is what it says it is, in all bags there was less than a cup of fines per bag - I don't think I'll even bother grading the fines out next time. ‘Precision’ 3-6mm I would say is the best size bonsai as 90% grades through the medium (5?mm with the interchangeable sieves).

I'm not affiliated with this product what so ever, just found it excellent quality/value, and thought you'd like to know!

Happy repotting everyone

[Damian Bee]

That's interesting.
I have been through a big heap of the bio grow 5-8mm in the last 6 months and had very little in the way of fines. If it is 2mm+ I would not be greatly concerned as the Kleensorb is 2-7mm anyway.
Just my
I also find the Orchiata very expensive considering what it is and where it comes from

[Meagi]

Hi Cre8 where did you purchase the "Orchiata ‘Precision’ pine bark chips" and what was the cost per bag .
Cheers

[cre8ivbonsai]

Hi Damian, maybe Biogro has picked up their game, or I got a bad batch last year (out of two 50L bags I got approx 25L of fines under 2mm) and based on that experience the economy was worse Good to know you've had a better quality experience this year.

Hi Meagi currently 40L is $27.10 at Garden City Plastics, the down side is that they're in Monbulk and only open mon-fri. They sell to nurseries, so you may find it closer to home but you'll pay a bit more retail price.

[Damian Bee]

Hi Creative,

I am guessing that there maybe one of two things that occurred with your bags.
1. That the bag you bought was at the end or start of the hopper loading, (the large amount of fines settling).
2. Batching error, (less likely as I don't think they sell graded stuff under 5mm but they do sell lesser quality of the same product which is not as clean but generally not in bags).

Just for the record, if Orchiata is selling at $27.10 per 40 litre, that would work out at $0.68 per litre.
I am currently selling top quality 5-8mm graded pine at $14.00 per 25+ litre, working out at $0.56 per litre, 20% less for Australian made

[cre8ivbonsai]

Hi Creative,

I am guessing that there maybe one of two things that occurred with your bags.
1. That the bag you bought was at the end or start of the hopper loading, (the large amount of fines settling).
2. Batching error, (less likely as I don't think they sell graded stuff under 5mm but they do sell lesser quality of the same product which is not as clean but generally not in bags).

Just for the record, if Orchiata is selling at $27.10 per 40 litre, that would work out at $0.68 per litre.
I am currently selling top quality 5-8mm graded pine at $14.00 per 25+ litre, working out at $0.56 per litre, 20% less for Australian made

Hey that's a good price Damian and if with minimal fines, good value (better than my previous retail nursery price ). I'm all for supporting an product (as opposed to a NZ), as long as the quality is there. With your recommendation, I'm happy to give Biogro a second chance next time. Nice website btw .

[Meagi]

I can speak from experience Damian's products are well worth the travel great quality everytime and great prices
Cheers

[Biofusion]

Hi Damien,

I see you sell a lot of different mediums, do you have a website? Or do you only sell via pick-up?

[Damian Bee]

I can organise freight for you.
Please send a pm and we can have a bit more of a chat.