Can I add small pieces of regular wood to my "Miracle gro orchid potting mix"?

[AGibson001]

The website RepotMe is very informative and has the ingredients listed for their mixes for the different genus. Understanding the role the different ingredients in their mixes plays is always a good starting point for deciding the type of mix you need for your orchid From there, you can either buy mix pre-made online or make your own with what you can find in your shed and at lowes. If taking the latter approach, be prepared to improvise and substitute similar elements if you cant find exactly what you need (i.e. packing peanuts instead of large perlite) Also you should take into account how often you will be watering. If your away for a week at a time, you may want to go with a mix that retains more water, or add some sphagnum. If your always on top of watering, you may want to go with one that drains better. For Phals, I use about 15% medium charcoal, 25% medium fir bark, and 60% sphagnum very loosely packed around the roots. In situ, phals often have their roots completely exposed which is why they evolved to contain chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis. These roots are designed to be exposed to the air, so it is important to make sure they are not packed too tightly; also, I water when they start to feel dry on the top.

[JerseyGirlBecky]

I do not like the Miracle Grow at all. But the one time I did get It I put it through a heavy screen. I sifted out the small stuff. Had to do it twice. You will not be left with much, as it is mostly fine. Would never but it again. And never did use it for any of the orchids. Used it for my violets.

[violetta]

Whatever you do, don't put wood chips in the mix.
I did it to some of my first Phals (poor things!) because I could't find bark, and a few weeks later the wood chips rotted.

[greengarden]

I don't know if you can get it in the states but I quite like the Brunnings brands orchid mix, otherwise i buy a block of coconut coir chunks and a couple of bags of pine bark chip mulch from my local Kmart and mix them about 50:50. I find that works well for most things.