Welcome to orchidboard!
Like most people I also started with some big box store Phals. And then it morphed into an uncontrolable obsession.
Yes, there is lots of contradictory information out there. Some is just plain wrong, but a lot of it true, but so much depends on your cultural conditions and care habits! There are some basic, general advice which should help most novice growers keep their first plants alive. Then, as you get experience with orchids, you experiment and see what works best for you, which leads to tons of conflicting advice when you ask people for an opinion! That's why, when you ask questions here, try to give as much detail as you can, and you usually get answers that should more or less work for your situation.
introducing myself
New member from western Pa. I have phals that were all purchased from big box stores so are not named hybrids. I grow them on heat mats and under T5 lights. They are put outside in summer.I know I will learn much useful info from this forum. My first orchid was a gift 3 years ago and is still hanging in there. I watch lots of youtube videos on orchid care with conflicting advice so it is confusing. Currently have 10 full size and 2 mini phals. I grow mostly in bark with a little sphagnum mixed in and also top-dress with the moss. Gardening is my passion but have a couple disabilities now that don't allow me to do much outside work. I am getting back into growing house plants to keep my thumb green ! 
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