So right, Ken, but you know orchids growing in the wild probably aren't nearly as big and healthy and robust as our coddled darlings.. They do indeed "survive".
Meant to say I'm also with you on the sphagnum moss. I do have a couple of orchids - a Paph and a couple of Miltassias - that seem to do ok with a little moss in the mix, but not Phals. It just stays much too wet, and compacts too much to let their roots get air.
