Super new and really wanting to do it right

[sapphireeyes27]

I have always admired these beautiful plants. Before they were popular, I used to see them at plant shows and extensive gardens and just loved them. Now that I have my own home, I'd like to try to grow them. The problem is that I am completely new at this and don't really know what to do. I had a phal once before and killed it within a week. I do well with plants, and have quite a few African violets, but I have always wanted to get an orchid and actually have it live. I bought one two months ago and put it in a southernly facing window, but keep the blinds partially closed so that it wouldn't get too much sun. I made some serious mistakes at the beginning because I didn't know any better. I have since done my homework (I've read Orchids for Dummies about five times!). So now, I need some help.

First of all, I put my orchid (which is in a clear pot) in a bowl and watered it by putting water in the bowl. I think I may have damaged the roots by doing that. Some of the roots are still green and plump, but others are black and mushy. Should I be worried and is there a way to fix this?

Secondly, I think the phal is planted in some sort of moss. When I look at the top of the plant, it is dark, but when I look at the sides, the moss is a light brown color. Is this alright?? Does it need to be replanted?? The books say that they should be replanted in early Spring, but it is way too late to do it then. Should I just leave it as it is?

Thirdly, what do I do when the orchid stops flowering. It's been flowering ever since I got it. It had one flower and a bunch of buds. The buds have all already opened and look amazing. The thing is, the first flower (the one that way open when I bough it) just recently seems to have collaped and died. That's fine if the orchid is ready to stop blooming, but all the other flowers are fine. What on earth is going on??

I really would like to get more orchids and maybe even get a plant table to grow a bunch of them indoors (I can't afford a greenhouse and really don't have the room), but I want to do it right. I have read a few books and plan to visit an orchid shop and go to the Ottsville Orchid festival in hopes of finding more information, but any advice you all can offer would be wonderful. I know that this is a lot, and I am going through the threads to find information, but these questions have been plaguing me since I bought it!

Any information would be amazingly appreciated!!!

Rachel