Orchiata Precision 3-6mm 35L by Daltons — Orchid Bark for Seedlings & Young Orchids

Orchiata Precision is the smallest chip in the Daltons Orchiata range at 3–6mm — the grade to reach for when you're potting orchid seedlings fresh from flask, deflasking, or growing miniatures that need fine, even moisture around delicate roots. It's 100% pure New Zealand Pinus radiata bark, aged naturally so it holds water and nutrients on the chip surface while the core stays hard and stable for years in the pot. Use Straight From the Bag Stable EC means no pre-soaking or initial flushing. Pot up and water as normal. Built to Last in the Pot Hard, aged radiata bark resists breaking down, so you repot when the plant needs it — not when the mix collapses. Dolomite-Buffered pH Coated with natural dolomite to hold pH at 5.5–6.5 and supply calcium and magnesium to freshly potted plants. Beneficial Microbes On Board The natural ageing process eliminates pathogens while beneficial micro-organisms remain to protect roots. Specifications Grade: Precision (3–6mm) Bag Size: 35 litres Air Fill Porosity: 43–50% Water Holding Capacity: 52% pH: 5.5–6.5 (dolomite buffered) EC: <0.3 mS/cm Material: 100% New Zealand Pinus radiata bark Source: Sustainably managed NZ plantation forests Grower's Tip — Is Precision the Right Grade? Precision (3–6mm) suits seedlings from flask, miniatures, and fine-rooted orchids that want consistent moisture. Moving up to a 100mm+ pot or thicker roots? Step up to Classic (6–9mm) for more air around the roots. It also works well as a fine-fraction addition to aroid and indoor plant mixes where you want structure without big chunks. How to Pot With Orchiata Precision 1 Place a thin layer of Orchiata in the bottom of a clean pot — no rinsing or soaking needed first. 2 Position the plant in the centre with the roots sitting below the pot rim. 3 Backfill around the roots, tapping the pot gently so the bark settles without compacting. 4 Water thoroughly and let the pot approach dryness before watering again — the fine grade holds moisture longer than coarser bark. Pairs Well With Orchid Focus Grow Vegetative feed for seedlings and young orchids putting on roots and leaves. Orchid Focus General One-bottle year-round feed for mixed orchid collections. Organic Gardening Natural fertilisers and amendments to feed plants growing in bark. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to rinse or soak Orchiata before use? No. Orchiata's stable EC means it can be used straight from the bag with no initial flushing, and its dolomite coating already buffers pH to 5.5–6.5. Is Precision grade suitable for mature orchids? No, not on its own. Precision (3–6mm) is designed for seedlings, deflasked plants and miniatures. Mature orchids with thicker roots do better in Classic (6–9mm) or coarser grades that give roots more air. Can I use Orchiata for aroids and indoor plants? Yes. Precision works well as a fine bark component in aroid and indoor plant mixes, adding structure and drainage without breaking down the way softer barks do. Is white or blue-green growth on the bark a problem? No. Orchiata is processed from a natural resource, and Daltons note that fungi from the Penicillium genus can occasionally appear — it will not harm or damage plants. How long does Orchiata last before repotting? Orchiata's hard, aged chips resist chipping and composting, so growers report noticeably longer intervals between repots than with softer barks. Repot when the plant outgrows the pot rather than when the mix breaks down. Give Your Seedlings the Right Start Premium NZ orchid bark, shipped Australia-wide. Free shipping over $499*. Add to Cart Browse Substrates