Yes, you are right, Ursula, all three of us grow our orchids in vastly different conditions (well, you and I are probably pretty close, though I never use distilled or rainwater). I think the picture I saw of this particular Phal. had nice, healthy-looking roots on the surface of the media.
My misting suggestions was to wet the leaves/surface roots but not drench the media. IF water is the culprit here, that's what I am trying to solve.