Thanks - in the photo you can see that I had these squished down in a candle holder instead of on an open saucer -
If I unwrap & look at the roots, am I likely to find the suspected snail(s)?
I think this could be successful if you watered differently from the start and adapted the plant over many months. A plant with lots of roots would use the water in the sphagnum ball rapidly. But at first the roots would not be adapted. If you try again, wait to water the moss until quite crisp. Don't soak it when you water; quickly run water over it. The water will diffuse through the moss, leaving it slightly moist, but still holding plenty of air.
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