Personally I have much better luck with my Phals. in spaghnum. They grow like weeds and bloom regularly, and I water every week with approximately one turkey baster of water per inch of pot. The roots come out of the plant and go direcly down into the moss, big fat roots like nightcrawlers. Isn't it funny - like Bruce says though - it depends on so many things. I lost too many Phals. to speak about in bark. I also replace the moss annually.