DTPS problem. Yellowed roots, yellowed leaves, wilting blooms. Help Please!

[MoparMama5452]

Hello Everyone,
This is my first orchid in several years. I'm honestly not sure what killed my other one. The tag in the pot with it had DTPS which I came to understand is a hybrid of a Phal.
It is beautiful! I've had it since Valenties Day. I've only watered it twice, running water through the pot and then letting it all drain out before returning it to its decorative container.
About 2 weeks ago, 2 of the 4 blooms withered and dropped off.The last two are beginning to do so as well. After some reading, I concluded that perhaps it is going into its growth stage, so I thought no more of it. But then I noticed that a bottom leaf is turning yellow and withering. I did some reading here to see what could cause it and the general consensus seemed to be root rot. So I pulled it out of its pot, expecting a soggy mess of sphag moss.
Instead it was bark, with 2 little Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom. However, my roots don't look happy. There are is also an icky black spot on the underside of one of the healthy leaves.
I'd like to know if it's save-able and what I need to be doing. I appreciate your help so much!
P.S. I'm having some trouble posting photos, when I have more time to mess with it, I will get some up here.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

Define "decorative container". Orchids must have air movement to their roots.

[Wjs2nd]

You may not be watering it enough. If your phal is in bark you should be ble to water it once a week depending on humidity. There're they buds or blooms? If they were buds then it was probably do to the lack of water. Blooms will fall naturally over time.

[Bud]

since valentines day you only watered it twice(your plant is on its way to dying by dehydration)...its in bark, asuming its fresh bark so the water doesnt hold...you should be watering it every other day if you have a dry indoor environment, then just to once a week if the bark is older and can hold more moisture...and a weekly weakly fertilizer.
your instinct is right you should water it by removing the plastic pot from the "decorative container"or cache pot
what window do you put it? east, west or south? is it a bright window or with curtains?
pictures would help us help you better...that black spot on the leaf might be a sunburn or a mechanical issue...
you still can save that Phal...and if the spike is still green it might give you a second set of blooms on the lower spikes...so dont cut it

[MoparMama5452]

Thank you all for your prompt response! I can't believe I didn't think that it should have more water! I'm feeling a little sheepish. Thank goodness for this forum!

Bud, it is near a West facing window. I've included a photo of its location. That is the only place in my house that doesn't receive a draft from an exterior door. I think I would rather have it in the living room, which has a North and East window. It would be in the opposite corner though, so no direct sun, I'm just worried about the draft from the front door.

Based on what I have learned, I will definitely re-pot at some point, because I have doubts about the appropriateness of its current vessel.

Arenalbotanicalgarden, I have included a photo of both the pot itself, and the "decorative container." I also included photos of the drainage holes so you all can see what's going on.

Bud, the spike looks great. There is even a little "mitten" looking thing on the end, which I assume means a new flower forming. Wjs2nd, they were blooms, not buds.

Thank you all again. I didn't water it because I was afraid to touch it! I wish I had found you all BEFORE I bought the orchid, but I'm so pleased to hear that it may not be too late.

[Bud]

The bark media is old but you dont need to repot yet(maybe in 2 yrs)...so its a once a week watering regimen for your plant...change the location of the plant maybe the east window will be great light...its too dark where it is now.
The roots are dehydrated...but it will plumpen soon as you water it more.
The tin cache pot has a hole and the plastic pot has holes too so you can put it all in one piece in the sink and water it til its drenched.
make sure to dab the crown with paper towel to dry it...dont let cold water stand in there

the base of that leaf has a fungal infestation ...observe the yellowish fungus around the black spot
use a sharp blade or scissors to cut the infected part.
dab the leaf wound with a paste of cinamon powder and water(cinnamon can be found in supermarket shelves together with vanilla and some desert stuff)
use a cotton soaked in listerine(the regular kind not the new and improved) to clean the leaves fist...then repeat the listerine swipes the following week on all the leaves

[MoparMama5452]

Bud, thanks a million! I love it so much, I'm happy I haven't done too much damage.
I will move it into my kitchen, which has an East facing window and faithfully water once a week.
Now, to be clear on fungus removal, if I've understood correctly, I am going to cut a chunk out of the diseased leaf? I'm not scraping the top membrane off? I'm actually cutting it out? I believe I understand, but want to clarify before I go hacking into it. Listerene baths are no problem. I'm just so relieved. I will go check out some other threads for fertilizer recommendations, unless you've got one.

[Junebug]

I have a little different take on how to treat your phal. The roots look very dry and the ones that show up as brown in the photo are probably dead. The yellow leaf probably got that way as a sort of sacrifice, a result of it providing life sustaining moisture to the rest of the plant. I wouldn't fret over the black spot on the leaf. It looks like an old wound that has successfully scabbed over. There are a few bumps near the black spot that I would take a closer look at. The bumps could be scale or they could just be harmless bumps. In general, your leaves look good.

I've rescued many a sickly phal and if this were my plant the first thing I'd do is unpot her and clean up the roots. Save what you can, but you'll have better results if you remove all the dead roots. Save the ones that have any signs of life. After this task is completed there might not be many roots left. If that's the case then I prefer to leave the plant unpotted and undisturbed for a few weeks, misting the root area about 3 times a day while cautiously avoiding moisture in the crown of the leaves. This type of treatment encourages a phal with little roots to grow new short, healthy roots that will better adapt to fresh potting mediums. Your new pot shouldn't be any larger than the one it's planted in now. A medium sized bark mixture usually works well, the type that has charcoal and chunks of pearlite or aerolite mixed in. The medium should be soaked in water for a few hours prior to use. You can also add some small pieces of styrofoam to the base of the pot to aid with drainage. Try finding a pot similar to the one in your photo with lots of holes in the bottom, or you could try a 3" or 4" terracotta pot that's specially designed for orchids. I'd ditch the decorative outer container because it fits too tightly around the orchid vessel and it's restricting air flow to the roots. Oh, I almost forgot to mention...you should remove the bloom spike to aid in your plant's recovery.

Good luck with your baby!

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[Leafmite]

I agree with Junebug. Before you cut the roots, soak for ten minutes or more to see if any turn green. If you have any good, living roots, you won't have to cut the spike. The bottom leaves do sometimes turn yellow and drop off. As long as new leaves grow from the top, it is okay. In perfect conditions, the bottom leaves last longer. It is great that you joined!