US domestic source for FINE pine/fir bark nuggets in bulk?

[chad2468emr]

Hi all - 

I’ve recently found GREAT success using FINE fir bark nuggets (not orchid bark, not “mini” pine bark nuggets that are still too huge) as a soil amendment for my potted palms and other plants needing well-draining, airy planting mediums. However, the only way I’ve been able to source it is by getting “reptibark” which is a product for reptiles and costs ~$25 for a 24 quart bag. For me, that gets expensive rather quickly. Is there a place within the US that I can get this stuff in-bulk? 
 

[JohnAndSancho]

Bonsai Jack? I dunno that he's gonna be any cheaper though.  

[Allen]

Lowes' 'soil amendment' is fine pine bark.  I use it for all my potted plants.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Evergreen-2-cu-ft-Organic-Drainage-and-Aeration/999911447

[Merlyn]

Unfortunately they don't seem to carry the Evergreen brand around the Orlando area, maybe it is only a regional thing.  ChuckG told me that his local mulch maker does have large normal nuggets, but they also sell bulk of the small stuff that "can't be sold" with the big nuggets.  He uses Mulch For You on Mitchell Hammock Road, but I'm guessing that other mulch makers could have the same stuff.  It might not be convenient to buy, i.e. maybe it's a pile and not in bags.  But it could be an option!

[NatureGirl]

Floridamulchonline.com in St Cloud has it, it’s called ‘soil conditioner’

[Aleks]

I want to know your opinion.  Are pine and spruce bark good for palm trees?  Do they inhibit growth?  I want to mulch potted palm trees.

[chad2468emr]

Hmmmm looking into it, I’m finding that “pine bark fines” might not be what I’m looking for. It almost looks ground up INTO soil, instead of remaining course (but small enough to maintain a homogenous soil mixture) amendment. 

First image below is from the Lowe’s link above and the second is a pic of the bark I get from pet stores. The fact that the bark I use stays moist without actually absorbing much water and still provides such a homogenous mix with consistent drainage when mixed with leca or perlite is why it’s worked so well for me. 

[Allen]

33 minutes ago, chad2468emr said:

Hmmmm looking into it, I’m finding that “pine bark fines” might not be what I’m looking for. It almost looks ground up INTO soil, instead of remaining course (but small enough to maintain a homogenous soil mixture) amendment. 

First image below is from the Lowe’s link above and the second is a pic of the bark I get from pet stores. The fact that the bark I use stays moist without actually absorbing much water and still provides such a homogenous mix with consistent drainage when mixed with leca or perlite is why it’s worked so well for me. 

 

What you have in this picture looks like bags of pine bark 'mulch' I buy at Lowes here.   I use the soil conditioner for potting mixes because what you have pictured here is too coarse for me.  The pictures of the Lowes soil amendment you have above is not what it looks like.

 

here is what the Lowes Soil Conditioner looks like.  I mix this with peat, perlite/pumice and the palm/cactus soil for my mixes.  

Edited May 15, 2021 by Allen

[Kevin S]

[Kevin S]

I think your best bet is to find large orchid grower near you that might sell different kinds of soil mixtures. WhenI was growing up there used to be several large orchid growers in the neighborhood but now they’re all gone but we used to buy our mix there. There are several different kind of mixes available and you can get there stuff to make your own mix.

[Steve in Florida]

Try Southeast Soils in Okahumpka, Florida.  They sell components and premixed potting soils by the yard to truckload.  I was going to buy from him but I'm too far away. 

[chad2468emr]

9 hours ago, Steve in Florida said:

Try Southeast Soils in Okahumpka, Florida.  They sell components and premixed potting soils by the yard to truckload.  I was going to buy from him but I'm too far away. 

That seems promising! Their website is encouraging, haha. 

An hour from me, so might be worth it if I can really stock up. Thanks for the tip! 

[Turtlesteve]

I use Lowe’s soil conditioner for both my plants and my reptiles.  Good stuff if you can find it.

I also bought bulk pine bark from a local distributor, and screened some of it (what I got had a lot of fines in it).

[chad2468emr]

Okay so it’s not perfect, but apparently miracle gro’s “coarse blend” / orchid bark is fairly similar. Like I said, not perfect considering the inconsistent bark sizes + the giant splinter shards it includes, but for 8 quarts at $5 + being so readily available, I can’t complain too much. 

[JohnAndSancho]

Good to know @chad2468emr - that's less than half the cost of the Petco stuff