Is a bark medium possible for Phals without increasing watering frequency?

[cythaenopsis]

It had seemed to me like sphagnum moss is generally looked down upon as the cheap orchid potting mix that is inferior to bark based mediums. I kept going with moss up until this year, when I felt like my phals were suffering from root rot too much due to the moss.

So I switched exclusively to a fine bark medium. Initially everything seemed to be fine, but as of late my last remaining phal has been suffering. Not only did it abort the largest leaf of the few it had (it is almost completely yellow now), but the next largest leaf is showing the beginning signs of shriveling. I give the medium a good dunking once a week and periodically give a drenched misting. The roots look OK, but there are few of them. I apply fertilized water about once every two weeks since the blooming season is over.

Does using bark require more frequent applications of fertilizer?

Is it advisable to use a combination of mediums, such as mostly bark with a moss layer over the top to help hold in moisture?

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