Sphagnum - Loose or Packed Tight?

[Dollythehun]

I gather, from reading bits and pieces of this long thread, that you are mostly talking about catts. I use Roberta's method for most every other type of orchid. I have very good success mixing a touch of any bark, cut up corks etc. with my spagh. I wait to water until the top is crusty, then I drizzle water. If you pour it on, you'll be wiping the floor. For my oncids and phals, I will water from below about half the time. I have failures but, never from root rot. Also my 2c.