So how are the Hardyana seedlings doing, Steve? Would you mind posting an updated photo or two? I'm very seriously thinking about ordering a couple of flasks to experiment with (not of Cattleya Hardyana, but a couple of cattleya species instead). I just need to see some visual signs of someone else's success to give me a bit of confidence. :-)
And you're using just plain cypress mulch, yes? That's not proven to either be too acidic or decompose too readily?