@ TirSigel: Hahaha, glad to hear that! I brewed up some willow tea today (but man does that stuff smell).

@ OrchidAddict: Thank you so much for your detailed advice, I will most definitely be switching to a clay pot and the LECA sounds like a great idea too I'd much rather water than worry as well, and I'm enthused to hear that it's possible to do that. Congratulations on your orchids!! Thanks so much for the good wishes.

@ Magnus: I believe you're right on with the fungus. I think it might have actually transferred over from some other, hardier plants on my sill.

I am currently doing the sphag and bag method, but finding a proper bag is proving difficult. The leaves on my orchid are stiff and over 25 cm long, resulting in an orchid that's about a half meter wide and about as flexible as a yardstick. I know they're not supposed to touch the sides of the bag, but would it be very bad?

Once again, thanks to everyone for the replies and encouragement!

@ mauraec: Thank you for the advice about Physan, and when to start the SuperThrive. Hahaha you caught on! (color me surprised) No, just little old Ontario (although that might seem like Antarctica to some :P). That said, a trip to Alaska is in the works, and who knows? Penguins make for great neighbors, or so I hear.