Grocery Store Phalaenopsis in Too Much Spangum

[meganreaux]

Hi. I just bought a beautiful NoID Phal from Whole Foods. This is my second purchase from them-- they have large phals for a pretty good price. Anyway, my question is why, oh why, do they (and other places) pack their orchids in spangum moss that is so dense that the roots start rotting? This one had surprisingly good roots once I got all of the spangum moss off, but after another week or two in that medium I feel sure that it would have been in need of some serious help. It's amazing how much spangum came out of that little 4 inch pot. I am certain that there must be a reason for distributors to do this, right? I just don't understand. Can someone enlighten me?