[~K8~]

I use sphagnum moss as a thin top layer. I do not allow the sphagnum to touch leaves- I push it away, I learned the hard way leaves dont like soggy sphagnum touching them. I refer to this layer for watering needs. If the sphagnum is dry I water, if the sphagnum is moist I dont. So far so so good. In 12 of 13 (Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, Cymbidium, 1 unknown) I have new growth, roots, shoots, blooms. I dont know if this is the right thing to do but it seems to be working for me.

Just wanted to add I dont think my Oncidium (I hope to correctly identify it soon) probably wouldnt survive without sphagnum, its so very dainty with the tiniest aerial roots.