If you leave the moss on, it will retain too much moisture (if surrounded by soil) and could get root rot. I'd gently remove as much of the moss as possible, then pot in the soil. :)

Carolyn

I agree with Carolyn. Sphagnum moss is great for rooting and growing many epiphytic plants but the moss breaks down in a little more than a year and then it holds too much moisture and can cause root rot. I grow most of my Bulbophyllum orchids in sphagnum and I am always having to repot or risk loosing plants.

Mike

hmmm well the pieces are all totally grown in the moss... so what should I do - try and separate it from the moss - sounds like it could be tough...without breaking the roots....Originally I thought the moss was just added to the top but the whole plant is growing in this stuff

Gently tease the moss away from the roots and keep any that is attached to the roots. If you wet the moss it will be easier to separate, you could even even set the moss/roots in a bowl of water and let the moss expand so that it is loose and easy to work apart.

Mike

ok well - I did as you said Mike and gently removed all of the spagnum moss. It wasnt too bad actually and I repotted it piece by piece into my new soil.. then I watered it and added it to my aquarium - hopefully if I did happen to remove any of the roots - it will re-root in that damp environment...
Thanks for your advice.. now I just watch and hope I didnt kill it...