If you use Orchiata you dont need to soak it and they even tell you not to soak it.
Ive been sold on Orchiata for over a year now its just great stuff. I wish I had started using it when I started orchideering. I wouldnt have had so many dead azzed over watered plants in the trash.
I dont think I answered any of your questions but I gave you a new idea maybe. Dump the plain jane bark.