Funny thing is, lotsa orchids grow in soil naturally. It's a natural assumption to make, I think. If one doesn't know about the weird (in my opinion) needs/desires) of most orchids, it seems natural to assume soil for the plants. I've seen Dendros planted in crooks and crannies in palm trees and in soil in Hawaii, so I don't find this assumption all that much out of the ordinary. But Dendros, being Dendros, I really think they just up and croaked!