Question
Hello Wayne!  I was reading some of your feedback that has been posted and I
would love to hear from you.  My scenario: I live in southern California (near
the coast) and I have a phalaenopsis.  I have had it for about one month and I
have had little to no experience with caring for such a plant/flower.  So, I did
a bit of research to ensure that I would not fail.  When I got the flower it had
about 6-8 fully bloomed flowers with one about to blossom.  I began by
removing the outer foil (gift wrap stuff) leaving it in it's original clear plastic
breathable container.  I then went out and bought a deeper ceramic pot as a
decorative piece to put the original plastic container in.  I read that it is good
to keep this type of orchid out of direct sunlight, so I positioned the plant
next to a window where the shades would be kept closed.  I watered the plant
once a week.  At first the plant did really well and the one bud bloomed and a
second bud grew and also bloomed.  Two more buds had appeared but
started to dry out,  I removed the clear plastic pot to take a look and I noticed
a root poking about and inch or two out the bottom.  The access water from
the last watering was sitting in the bottom of the ceramic pot so I drained
that.  I also noticed some white spotting in the bark and roots.  I figured I had
been over watering the plant so I went a bit lighter on the watering the next
few times.  Eventually the two buds fell off.  I inspected the bottom of the
plant and I noticed a little reddish-brown colored spider on the root poking
out.  I got rid of it, but I am still worried and am not sure what to do with my
orchid next.  I hope I can somehow revive it.  I was going to repot the plant
and give it some fresh new bark and orchid feed (which it is probably time for
that anyway) but I am not sure what to do about the mold.  Would it be
necessary to cut off roots that are infected with the mold?  Please help I want
to save my orchid, I would hate to see it die  :(  I appreciate your advice and
input.  Thank you, Jessica.

Answer
Thank you, Jessica, for honoring me with your question. It is likely that the water in the bottom of your container pot was keeping the potting mix wet. It is fine to put your plant's growing pot in a container pot for support and appearance but you should have removed the plant from the decorative pot to water it and then let it drain well before reutrning it to the decorative pot (probably an hour or so). Most of your concerns result from the poor condition of the potting mix and you need to repot. The spider would not harm your plant and the white spotting is undoubtedly a common mold that likes constantly moist conditions.

Obtain a small ammount of orchid potting mix and then remove the plant from its growing pot. Wash the roots thoroughly. Be sure to remove all old potting mix from the roots and remove any "mushy" roots. This process should remove mold attached to the roots.  If you have mushy roots, that is a sign of root rot usually caused by the mix remaining too wet and not enough air flow to the roots.  After cleaning the roots, find a clean plastic pot that will accommodate the remaining root mass and begin to add the dry, fresh, potting mix after insering the roots into the pot.  The point where the roots join the plant should be even with the top of the fresh potting mix-- about an inch or so from the top of the pot.  As you add fresh potting mix, tap the pot on a solid surface to help the new mix settle in and about the roots.  Do not water for a week as this plant now needs to thorough dry out.  Then you can resume watering once a week.  Once new growth appears you may increase watering to twice per week and feed with each watering (1/4 tsp per gallone of water).  

Feel free to ask followup questions if my advice is unclear or you have other questions.  Thank you.