As we all know, (most) orchids grow on tress - bare root, clinging for life and exposed to the elements. It's said that the roots will rot easily if potted too tightly or in the wrong medium, or the wrong kind of pot. But I've been thinking about it, and putting them in ANY kind of pot seems like a complete wrong-doing from the way that they grow in nature. For example, most people put Phals. in sphagnum moss because they come from moist areas and like to kept that way...but the moisture they get from nature is from rain and thick humidity on their exposed roots and they're allowed to dry off quickly. Orchid roots need to breathe and be exposed, so it would seem like putting them in a pot (whether free-draining or not) would significantly reduce their ability to fight off rot. Obviously, rot does happen (and often), but you'd think it would be a lot more common place simply based off the fact that they're in a stagnant pot of wet media for at least a day or two (minimum) before drying off. And furthermore, why is the potting media different for Vandas? All epiphytic orchids have their roots exposed in nature and don't like some soggy media wrapped around them...yet, as mentioned, in pots almost all do fine provided you don't water too often. Why do Vandas rot so quickly if you have them in any standard orchid media?