Thanks very much for the information! I'll look for a seedling/propagation mat. The one little oncidium is already starting to grow a new shoot that was just starting when I transplanted it so fingers crossed and one of the epidendrums is already starting put down new roots and a new shoot so I'm quite happy.
Question though about the new roots issue. I can tell when phals are usually doing it (usually visible around the base of the plant) but I can't tell how to notice when a dendrobium phalaenopsis is sprouting new roots short of unpotting the whole plant.
My american pitcher plant doesn't seem to like the s/h so far but the butterwort seems ok. I might throw a piece of a hoya into a s/h pot and see how it goes
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Again, thanks for all the help!
Cheers,
Ryan