Help! Phalaenopsis with rotten roots :(

[tlkiser]

Hoping someone out there can help me. I've had a phal. since shortly after Christmas that has been doing beautifully - nice leaves and in constant bloom since I bought it. (For the record it's a "Just Add Ice" and I've been watering per their instructions since I bought it.) Lately I've had the sense that something just wasn't right - leaves are droopy and wrinkly and the latest round of blooms didn't last long, all flower spikes are turning brown, with the exception of one that has new buds on it.

Anyway....today I decided to check on the roots. (I've never taken a peek at them before). I carefully removed all the bark and was shocked to find that, while the top bark was dry, the bark further down the pot was wet....and nearly all of the roots are rotten mush.

I've removed all the roots that came off with gentle pulling - left any that seemed willing to stay attached. I've thrown out all the bark and will replace with new bark potting medium.

Is that the right thing to do? What else should I be doing? How should I water these as I try to nurse them back to life? Is there any hope for these guys?

I don't know much about orchids at all - although I have 4 (3 phalaenopsis and 1 odontoglossum) and I really enjoy them. My other 2 phals are fine. Appreciate any help/advice you can give.

[marydaniellesantos]

Luke warm water is bast for Phals, and that is where the "just add ice" orchids go wrong. It's also normal for the spike to die off after flowering. What you did was probably the best course of action, just as long as there are enough roots for the Phal to get moisture... Do you feed them?

[Ray]

The roots of your plants died from suffocation and/or poisoning (read Air Management to understand more).

If you can grow the plant really warm (80's) or put it on a heat pad (Thanks, Ross), it will respond nicely once repotted.

[tlkiser]

Thanks for the help! When I went in Lowe's to buy bark potting medium they had lots of orchids 50% off ($7.50) - just because they had no blooms. I found 2 plants with beautiful, green roots and budded flower spikes. So, those came home with me as well as a bag of potting medium.
Ray - it's hot where I live right now - mid 80's to 90 during day and low 70's to high 60's at night. Would my suffocated/poisoned plants do ok outside for a bit...instead of the heating pad?