Pine bark with ferns; how does it work?

[wanna]

Yesterday, the company that is selling growing media offered me about pine bark from New Zealand. The company wanted me to be a sale agency in Thailand, so I'd like to know if anyone has used pine bark as fern media.  How does it work? 

The company told me that the chemical property of pine bark is close to sphagnum moss, so I want to know your opinion as well as pros and cons. Thanks.

[platyceriumferns]

I only use sphagnum moss on my Platycerium ferns.  One time I tried to use pine bark but did not work out. Because I was trying to propagate the plant from pups and when i needed to cut the put free from the mother the bark just got in my way and seamed not to make any difference. I do use it with some other terrestrial ferns but my epiphytic ferns I only use sphagnum moss.  Altho I am experimenting using pine bark with P. quadridichotomum pups. 

[platyceriumferns]

Here are some examples of the use of bark and several other types of bark mixtures. 

[platyceriumferns]

P. 'callard'

[platyceriumferns]

P. quadridichotomum pup

[wanna]

Thanks a lot, Chad. I think I have to try to use it in here. and let see how it works. I will try to use it mixing with peatmoss for sporeling first.

[Chatlanna]

I ues pine bark mixing with  sphagnum moss and hydrotron on my Asplenium,Microsorum,Polypodium. the species to be able grow up.

[platyceriumferns]

Here is a P. 'jimmy davis' growing in a mixture.  I am trying to figure out the best way to grow this one.  I have not had this cultivar grow that well in pure sphagnum moss. 

[wanna]

Chad,Thanks a lot for your information. today I've just got Pine bark "Orchiata" for sale in Thailand. Have you ever used this brand? any way, your P.Jimmy Davis is established very good with this media. but for mine, P.Jimmy Davis likes sphagnum moss a lot. If you notice it, I use only moss. hehehe..and very good news. It is giving me one pup too!!.

[wanna]

I forgot to show you the physical of Orchiata. I think it will be good for growing ferns. I soaked it into the water before using around 3 minutes. I notice it keeps holding moisture but not too wet. I like it.

[platyceriumferns]

I do not use that brand I normally make my own mix.  But that is what I would use in my mix.  If I was in Thailand I would buy from you.

[wanna]

hehehe.... move to Thailand in winter and go back to USA in summer.