Hi Keith, Welcome. The mix that you describe would work very well for
container
garden plants.
Redwood bark is best & comes in med & seedling, especially made up for
orchids.
(But the r/w bark these days isn't as good anymore)
Gene is correct, most people are switching to coconut husk chips (CHC) also
available
in different sizes.
Use horticultural charcoal & instead of perlite, 'spongerock' #3 size.
(crunchy for airyness in the mix)

Of course everything depends on where you are going to grow your orchids,
indoors, under lights, out doors or in a greenhouse.
Bottom line is that except for the terrestrial orchids, they shouldn't be
jammed in a pot anyway. But we all do it! *g*
Next trick is to find out where you can buy the different mediums & or
supplies?
Cheers Wendy


"keith" wrote in message
...
i am starting to get confused ,as a lot of growers use different methods &
give different answers!i have read in the RHS garden encylopedia(which is
like a bible for gardeners)that pine or fir bark are a excellent potting
medium with some additions to keep the mixture open & prevent it from
becoming sour.a suitable compost mix is as follows:3 parts medium grade
bark(dust free),1 part coarse grit or perlite,1 part charcoal pieces and 1
part broken dry leaves or fibrous peat substitute or peat.
Ray says dont use pine?i can understand why not to use bbq charcoal due to
poss added fuel etc,but why not pine?
anyone got any comments on this mixture, as like i said it is from the RHS
book,& what they dont no isnt worth knowing!
thanks keith