Orchid medium problems

[beckky]

I have my orchids in the dining room, usually our room is around 22 degrees (71,5 Fahrenheit) and we have big windows facing southwest (we have lots of light all afternoon but the orchids have no direct sun). Our house is quite on the humid side, as we live near a lake (usually we have between 50% and 60% humidity, sometimes even more).

[Dimples]

How far away from the window are they? Any further than 3-4 feet away and the light drops dramatically.

[Dalachin]

70s should be fine. Does it get cooler at nights or during some months? Phals are warm growers… some hybrids tolerate cool temps better than others.

[beckky]

It's right next to the window without getting direct sun. Before they were on the table on the left, but there was direct sun around 6pm so I moved them.

[beckky]

It doesn't get much cooler than that, and in winter we will have the heating on (the temperature will be similar)

[DirtyCoconuts]

i would not worry about light, they bloom for me under indoor lights with no intensity, tempi a lot more important, warmer the better.

I agree that the medium is bad- almost all commercial phals come with that plug as they are started in that rockwool it is not a problem and the roots of a healthy phal will spread and wander

[beckky]

Here are the photos from roots of the orchids that had the seed plug. One is looking really good, in my opinion. There are plenty of thick and hard roots, and some that look like new roots. I am happy 😊
But the other one.... Mmmmmmm... Not so good. There is a funky smell coming from the roots, my husband says it smells like wine celler, I say it's a lake/swamp smell. It's not very strong, and today it's a bit better, but it's there. The roots are thin and some are brittle, some are dark, others yellowish and not looking great.
The potting mix arrived today, should I treat her with some sort of anti fungus before potting?

[beckky]

Here is the healthier looking one