CORK BARK: Growing Medium

Culture Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

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Ground up into small pieces, sold as cork chips or cork nuggets, it is a satisfactory substitute for bark in some places; as slabs or mounts it accomodates many species of epidendrums, oncidiums, small dendrobes, cattleyas and others; refer to A86-495
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Cork Comments
CORK: As Mounts for Cattleyas C. aclandiae, C. walkeriana, C. nobilior, and C. schilleriana, all Braz ilian bifoliates, grow on fissured bark or moss-covered rocks in a pronounced wet and dry seasonal change; cork allows roots to attach themselves to it; drains well, sheds salts from around the roots. A87-359 0
CORK BARK SLABS: Artificial or Molded Used as large slabs for insulation of refrigerated rooms; can be cut up and used as mounts; the binder or adhesive is non-toxic to roots and holds up to watering; surface rough enough for root adhesion; recent decorator slabs may have toxic binder. A65-111 0
CORK BARK: What Orchids Grow on It? Many epidendrums, oncidiums, small dendrobiums, and cattleyas will grow on cork slabs; ground cork pieces, if medium bark sized, can be used instead of bark but they hold less moisture than fir bark. A70-1018 0
CORK BITS: As Potting Medium Fertilizers that might be appropriate for this would likely be balanced ones (20-20-20) because cork is relatively inert and does not tie up nitrogen like bark does. A85-866It is normally slow to decay and if mixed with charcoal should not break down into a humus-like mix in six months or so, although compressed cork particles might do so. A85-;92; RMH 0
CORK BITS: For Potting Cattleyas Tree-fern is preferred over cork bits usually; cork slabs need osmunda, sphagnum moss or tree-fern pads to start the roots. A80-960 0
CORK BORERS: Insects Bore Into Slabs and Corks They leave a dusting as evidence of their inroads; they attack corks in storage; spray with Malithion where the holes appear in the slabs; for corks, place them in a plastic bag with some insecticide powder and shake. AU84-127; RMH 0
CORK CHIPS: As Potting Medium They dry much slower in the pot than cork slabs in air and seem to decompose in less than a year in hot areas, so repotting at regular intervals is a must. F82-55 0
CORK: For Mounts Mosses and lichens found on a piece of bark at time of purchase should have no ill effects on a plant, but can be easily removed with a wire brush. A87-818 0
CORK NUGGETS: Available in Five Grinds Description and claims of the producers; refer to A84-1084 0
CORK NUGGETS: Culture Tips In South Florida they decompose rapidly so repotting must be done more frequently; tree-fern, charcoal, fir bark and even sphagnum moss are better alternatives. F84-179 0
CORK NUGGETS: Fertilizers for Use 10-10-10 because oak bark is inert, A85-726 0
CORK NUGGETS: Mixes with Charcoal Up to 5 in. pots use medium nuggests with #3 charcoal, to 7 in. pots with #2 charcoal, to lO in. pots, coarse grind with #1 or #2 charcoal. A85-369; distributer listing A85-101 0
CORK NUGGETS: Potting Medium As potting medium = breakdown in the pot in hot countries is its main problem. OIE86Jan-15 0
CORK SLABS: For Mounted Plants It is better than redwood, cedar slabs, oak branches or tree-fern; it cuts easily and plants can be tied to it with nylon fishing line, six to eight pount test, or for very large plants, nylon stockings. OIE85Nov-12 0
CORK SLABS: Plants That Like it Include Cattleya skinneri, C. forbesii, which thrive on it, Schomburgkias grow well on it but their spikes get very long, Oncidium maculaturn grows easily on it as it does on other things, however, Bulbophyllums, Barkerias also grow best when mounted; as does Dend. aggregatum. OIE85Nov-13 0
CORKS, WINE: As Potting Medium When cut up in pieces the size of medium bark they are good for many genera; whole corks or half-corks cut lengthwise and nailed to a flat of wood make excellent mounts for species with some moss added; vandas do well in corks; they last well. ODA74; RMH 0
CORKS, WINE: Recycled, as Potting Mix Whole corks are useful for potting thick-rooted vandaceous plants, are good for drainage when pebbles are used in the bottom of the pot, they maintain a coarse open space when mixed with charcoal pieces or coconut fiber; roots attach to corks; show no preferences for vintages or country of origin. A83-1173; OIE86Jy-9; not likely to carry virus. A86-719 0
CORK TILES: Pressed, Commercial Sheets Can be used as mounts for equitant oncidiums; cut in strips 2" by 12", and place four plants on each strip with a thin pad of sheet moss or coconut fiber and tied with bits of nylon stocking. A86-677 0

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