Question
Hi my boyfriend recently bought me a Phalaenopsis Orchid and I believe I may have re-potted it to early or late however you look at it. The reason I re-potted my Phal is because the roots were looking really brown and mushy, so I wanted to re-pot it in a bark mix instead of the peat moss. when I took her out of the store bought package the roots were really bad so I cut them, later finding out that you are not supposed to cut the roots while it is in bloom :( now I am scared that my plant will die. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Tracy, unlike many orchids, phalaenopsis don't have a growing season.  Had you wanted to enjoy the flowers longer, it would have been a good idea to wait to repot it until it had finished flowering. Otherwise, the plant was in desperate need of repotting and you did the right thing.  Only the "mushy" roots need to be removed before repotting.  Firm roots are healthy roots so these should be retained for future growth. I prefer a bark potting mix so I support what you did.  However, fir bark-based orchid potting mixes usually come quite dry and need to be soaked for an hour or more before use.  Dry fir bark repels water and this repellency can be broken down by soaking before use.  Otherwise the dry fir bark will tend to withdraw moisture from the roots instead of supplying it.  If, based upon this information, you feel you need to soak the potting mix you have used to repot your orchid, it will not harm your plant to unpot it and soak the potting mix prior to repotting the plant with it.

Now you need to concentrate on growing new leaves and roots.  Phalaenopsis prefer to grow in an east window with morning sunshine when it is available.  Don't overwater (about once per week is usually about right).  Don't let the pot sit in water.  Usually, phalaenopsis bloom once per year-- but there are exceptions which I won't go into now. If the flower spike is still present, you may cut it off just above the second node (ie joint). It may send off a flower spike branch at the node below your cut.  Otherwise, with a healthy plant, you can expect it to reflower next spring.