AusBonsai

dansai wrote:I used to use Ausgro pine nuggets by Biogrow for my orchids. A good composted pine bark graded into many sizes. It is important to use composted pine nuggets as uncomposted will repel moisture if it ever dries out and will use up all available nitrogen in a mix as it composts.

I got mine from Floyds Orchids in Wahronga. I don't know if he still operates but you might find other suppliers in the Sydney area.

True but using uncomposted bark lasts longer. We usually give more than enough N to our trees to compensate for nitrogen draw down. Orchiata is probably the best as it has been aged but NOT composted with N which tends to destroy the structure. Orchid growers have had extremely good results with it and no great N issues. Kiwi bark is similar to orchiata but raw and unmodified with dolomite. It should be ideal for pines and probably other conifers and acid loving trees as well.
Many of the cheaper composted barks don't last very long and can turn to mush in a year or two so you must compensate by adding more gravel etc.
But if I had the choice and the money I would use orchiata every time (especially for pine).

I got a orchid mix from masters there was a fine and a larger size ,masters also stock all the debco stuff

I have purchased small pine nuggets from Enfield produce in the past.

Thank you all for the response, I've contacted ORCHIDACEOUS to find out how much is the shipping cost. I like those 3 mm size for my shohin/mame. might need to give floyds a call to see if they still carry those mini nuggets, but they are around 1 hour drive from my place which is not good.
I've been to endfield a couple of times but they don't have it, might need to check them out again as they are only afew minutes from me.
will let you all know how I go.

Cheers

If you're still looking I recently found a bag at my local coles being sold as a mulch I was amazed as I live regionally and so things like that are hard to come by cause I don't drive I was desperate as I had 30+ orchids that needed repostting got a few bags then soaked them in seasol for a week everything is happy now ......