cypress mulch for orchids

[plantfanatic]

Hi, everyone. I've been growing most of my orchids in self-watering with leca for many years, with mostly great results. However, there are a few types that don't like it, and I hate bark. Recently, a commercial grower gave a talk to our orchid club and showed the astonishing root growth they were seeing using cypress mulch (plus perlite or pumice, I think). I've been trying it, and so far it's going very well.

I'm wondering if anyone else is working with it. What kind do you use? 100% cypress mulch or cypress mulch blend? Or the purified kind used for pet bedding?

I've also been experimenting with it with other house plants. The only reference I could find says it shouldn't be used with houseplants because it's allelopathic. But I can't see why it wouldn't work with other plants if it works for orchids, assuming they like the more acidic conditions it provides.

Any advice or comments from commercial growers or others would be much appreciated.