Anyone here use tree fern?

[varda.elentari]

I recently came across some information about using tree fern as an orchid medium. Supposedly it dries more evenly and decomposes more slowly than bark. I'd like to give it a try but all I can find in my area are rather pricey large bags so I'm concerned about spending on a lot of medium that might not work well for me in the end.

Please share your experience if you use or have used this medium. All I could find when searching the forum was that it was very popular in the past but nothing more specific. What genera do you grow? Do you use it on its own or in a mix? Does it retain more/less water, dry out faster/slower than bark for you? And does it actually dry more evenly throughout the pot?

Many thanks!