Question
QUESTION: I have a Phal I bought this last summer and it was blooming. It has looked healthy until recently, now all leaves are wilted. I suspect it was overwatered as all the bottom roots were dead.  It has a new healthy looking growth like leaves on the old flower spike and maybe 2 new flowers coming. It does have  a couple aerial roots but they look as if they are drying some.  I took it out of its medium and cut off the dead roots.  I put it in a plastic bag with about 2 inch square damp Sphagnum moss.  I have it open about an inch for air.  I have it in a warm 70degree room with alot of West light, but not in window. I live in Montana.
 ? is.......should I pot it now in fir bark or keep it here? I'm not sure I could get the aerial roots in a pot. Is this too warm? I have read alot of your sick orchid answers and have not seen any that quite fit this one?  Thank you for your expert help.

ANSWER: Kicky, good move in putting it into the bag with the damp sphagnum. I would leave it where it is until you have good root growth and at least two good leaves.  The roots and leaves should be at least two inches long before potting into a standard potting mix. When the planlet on the old flower spike reaches this stage, you may remove it from the flower spike to which it is attached, when it meets these criteria, and pot it.  Sometimes a simple twist or two at the point of attachment will separate the plantlet from the flower spike.  The parent plant that has lost most of its roots may also be repotted if, and when, it develops new roots and leaves.  With regard to the aerial roots, soaking them for an hour or so will cause them to turn green and make them less brittle and moe flexible.  Still, try your best not to damage the roots.  

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QUESTION: Thank you... another ? or 2... Should I take off the old wilted leaves on this plant?  I  read this method usually ends up with just a rotted everything. The temp is constant in this room , so that is OK?  I can only hope the aerial roots are what is keeping everything alive. and I should just keep the Spg moss damp,correct?  I hate it when anything dies.  What is the very best potting mix for Phals? I have 4 others that are ok  I am now worried about. They are in southeast window and it gets about 60 degrees at night and 65 in day due to sun.
Do you have a favorite place to buy orchid products?  
Thank you for your prompt and excellent advice. Kicky

Answer
Usually, the old leaves will fall off naturally-- but not always.  Dead leaves, of course, contribute nothing to the plant and removing them will not injure the plant.  Leaving them on the plant in a humid environment may inviting decomposition of the leaf by mold.  If you cut manually remove them without cutting that would be best.  An open wound in the presence of a humid environment may provide an invitation to the growth of bacterial or mold spores, so, if you expose the tissue, be sure to seaal it with powdered sulphur or other powdered fungicide.  

Phalaenopsis orchids can tolerate temperatures of 60 degrees but that is in the lower range.  I recommend that a traumatized plant might stand a better chance at 70-75 degrees.

Most garden centers carry some supplies such as insecticides, fungicides,and pots.  Usually, only nurseries selling orchids would carry orchid potting mix, I prefer to buy from local commercial orchid growers and seldom mail order my supplies.