bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Pine Bark? Orchid Mix? Same?

"You'll need to screen it of course."

I have been using this stuff for about 10 years now. Haven't had an issue with not sifting it...

Stopped sifting it about 7 years ago--too time consuming, not to mention sifting decomposing bark makes it decompose even faster. Unless you're washing it through a screen, the screen you're sifting with is breaking down those larger chunks into ever smaller ones in the sifting process and later on, in your soil mix. I think sifting this stuff is a zero sum game.

25-Jan-2007	#15
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	"You'll need to screen it of course." I have been using this stuff for about 10 years now. Haven't had an issue with not sifting it... Stopped sifting it about 7 years ago--too time consuming, not to mention sifting decomposing bark makes it decompose even faster. Unless you're washing it through a screen, the screen you're sifting with is breaking down those larger chunks into ever smaller ones in the sifting process and later on, in your soil mix. I think sifting this stuff is a zero sum game.