Actually, it's not a stupid question--it's something I hadn't thought 
of, although part of my problem has been not leaving a good thing 
alone. Last night I got the bowl set up perfectly--the peat floated 
to the bottom, and even though there was quite a bit floating on the 
top, I should have just gotten a net or strainer and cleaned that out 
carefully. Instead, I mucked the whole thing up hoping the stuff on 
the top would float to the bottom. I would put peat in a stocking 
like Terry suggested, but it's U. gibba I'm trying to grow, and it 
needs to be in contact with the peat or else it won't bloom.
Maybe I should just try it again and be more careful this 
time--thanks for the advice.