Orchid bark, commonly sold at Home Depot and Lowes are what many hobbyists use.

Hi Petiolaris,

Hope all is well and plants are stunning as always.

I have some orchid bark (conifer bark) made by Schultz. I called the company and asked about fertilizers in the product, they said no, but I still worry. To many stories about brand name products having accidental fertilizer in them.

Just a bit spooked.
Thank you,
Nycti

I would rinse the bark just in case.

I will do that. Thank you for your help.

I was going to say that if it's safe for animals it probably won't hurt plants, but then it occured to me that the reptile substrate might have something added to control odors or germs. I'd still say it's most likely OK, but why take a chance? I'll bet you can get coconut bark at a nursery.

Hi Ltecato,

Good thinking, I hadn't thought about the odor control possibility but I should have, duh!

The local nursery carries a coconut mulch but not a bark, not sure if thats what I would want. As of right now the Nepenthes is growing in a Nep mix I purchased from Sarracenia Northwest. That is: 1 peat, 1 coconut bark (orchid is supposed to be ok to), 1 vermiculite, 1 perlite. It has done very well in that mix. So I would like to come close to duplicating it myself if possible and use it for other Neps.

Thank you,
Nycti