Are 'chids picky about this???

[orchidaddict789]

So I remember hearing about orchids with thin, fine roots (oncs, etc.) should be potted in smaller-sized, finer bark. On the other hand, orchids with thicker roots (like phals) can be put into bark of larger size. I wonder if it's OK to plant them the other way around...or even if bark size has any affect on orchids . Of course, I want my 'chids to be as happy as possible...

Any ideas? What do you do?

[Cinderella]

Hi! The smaller finer bark stays much more wet than the larger chunks. So large catts would probably be way too wet in fine bark. I know people use the finer bark for seedlings a lot and as you said, oncidiums.

[Jmoney]

it's just as cinderella said. fine bark stays wet longer. i guess you could conceivably grow anything in anything, but most people would use medium bark for most thick rooted epiphytes, phals, catts, dends. some would add some stuff to retain moisture, i.e. some peat, fine bark, etc etc. the combinations are endless. but success comes from a meshing of medium to culture (light/water/etc).