[Sharyn]

kel80: I would check that media - sounds like fungus. I use Chicago tap water and I've never had a problem. I use it straight from the tap, except for the water for the worm tea - that sits out for a day or two to get rid of the chlorine. Our water contains minerals and salts which will leave deposits on clay pots. Never noticed any problems with plastic pots, nor have I experienced mold on the bark. When watering, take the pots to the sink and thoroughly run tepid water through them. THEN, fertilize at 1/4 strength. Be sure you skip at least one week of fertilizing and just flush the pots with plain water to get rid of the salts and high content of minerals. Since I have many orchids in a bark mixture and haven't seen this problem, I would suspect the medium should be replaced. You may have had the unfortunate bad luck to get a bad bag of bark.

Tobi is right about the air circulation. Even with our sporatic high & low temperatures, the evening temps here have been cool - wet bark without good air circulation invites problems.

Many members have great luck with sphag. It doesn't work for me, but that's just my opinion. I'm gradually switching over from bark to a more moisture retentive media for the phals.

Post a picture when you can.