How tightly do you pack your medium?

[shadytrake]

I find it harder to pack tightly with my hydroton so I mix it with the local arkolite which is not round. My s/h are doing better now that they are tighter.

I also had this re-confirmed with the mounts. A learner judge here who is an expert with cattleyas told me that they need to be firmly tied on the mount or in the basket to encourage the root growth. She has a bunch of awards and her catts are gorgeous so I'm taking her advice.