Yes, the peat does dry out. I have a ledebouria (sp) or African Hosta that starts getting hard even before it's dried out! I've got plants in the same stuff, with perlite, and they don't dry hard like it does. The plant is droopy, and I can see why. And I DID repot it a week after getting it. I don't understand why the others stay light and freely draining when it's the same mix!
That's great that the worker at Lowe's told you, Deebie, that they needed to be in another soil. I personally think the growers send them out in that wet, soil retentive soil so they won't dry out on their way to their destination, and also so the store won't have to water them as much. I don't think I've ever bought a plant at Lowe's or Home Depot that had any perlite in it! I've been using Ortho Orchid potting mix (which contains some bark) mixed with perlite for the last couple of years, and have had good results. You do have to water more often, but it is light and freely draining. I used to use peat, but no more. I also don't use Miracle Gro anymore. It kept plants terribly soggy.
I do plan on having the spider in a west window. I heard about the "Ocean" spiders too, but heard they have trouble because of all the white on them. The black coral will only get a bit of morning sun, and no more. My Moonshine does well with that.
I should be getting them next week.
