Is this crown rot?

[RoutineDisco]

I got this orchid labelled neofinetia kinroukaku three days ago and it came looking like this (pictures inserted below). Is it crown rot on that biggest specimen and is that salvageable? Any suggested next steps?

Thanks for any help in advance!

[Roberta]

Neofinetia falcata sometimes loses fans, but readilly makes more. You have a couple of fans that look fine. Whatever it is potted in looks old, a repot likely is in order.

[RoutineDisco]

Ok I will get on repotting that. The center fan is just really dry…I’m worried any new growth would really struggle to push up as it seems pretty hard. And the base of the orchid close to the potting media seems very dark as well. Should I separate this one from the other two specimens since the other two look completely healthy?

[Roberta]

Don't separate anything. But fresh medium is important. The species does like to dry out somewhat, especially in cool weather. It can be kept wetter in summer. But air around the roots is critical - it IS a Vanda.

[RoutineDisco]

Ok I repotted today since the medium finally dried out into a mix of sphagnum, perlite and bark. I didn’t pack it down at all so it should be quite airy. Furthermore I discovered an ant colony in the original pot which was an unpleasant surprise since I thought one of my other new orchids was the source of the critters. Any further tips or suggestions, things I should change?

[estación seca]

What are your growing temperatures? When it's relatively cool Neos are safer kept on the dry side.

[RoutineDisco]

68-75F, gets indirect light and supplemented by a grow light and humidity is 45-60. I run my distiller in the same room so there’s hot air circulating for a few hours every day or every other day, I try not to give the plants a warm draft but space is somewhat limited and the extension cord isn’t long enough for it to be across the room. I did wait until medium seemed pretty dry and then since I repotted I did a more thorough soak today. I got the plant last Saturday by now and this is the first time I watered it.

[estación seca]

If you don't already do this - point the hot air jet away from your plants. It will carry steam you can't see that can easily burn them.

[RoutineDisco]

Sorry new question: I’ve seen other neofinetias with very thick phal-type roots, but when repotting mine they were all very thin and feathery, kind of like the ones I see on my restrepia or my other new bulbophyllum…is this normal or has it been misidentified? There were definitely new roots as well.

And yes the distiller is still a little distance away from the plants when on, it doesn’t get warm where they are there is just lower humidity and can feel the fan a bit.

[Roberta]

Photos would help...