Phal Black Roots... PLEASE Help! (+ A Side Note...)

[NeonKraken]

Hi! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season About a month ago, I cut all the dead roots and repotted my sick Phal. A week or two ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the two leaves had grown, and a new root had sprouted from the lower part of the orchid. Today, I was surprised with three more roots, but quickly disappointed to see that the very tips had turned a brownish-black. Some most of the root(s) are still green, but I am a little worried, as this orchid has been sick before. I have it by a sunny window and it is planted in sphagnum moss. I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me what is going on here.

*Side Note* I have noticed that my orchids planted in sphagnum moss in potts have been taking a lot longer to get dry lately. Is this just because of the cold weather and should I water them less over the winter, or am I doing something wrong... Please help. Thank you so much.

[ShadePlant]

I am not sure how cold it is where you are but my indoor plants need less watering in the winter. If they are in spagh I go lighter on watering and if they are in bark I wait longer before watering again. Pictures would help give more specific advice.

[charlesf6]

and more specifics (location, other orchid types...etc.) could help with quicker replies.,

[Orchid Whisperer]

Not sure where you live in the USA but it is important to know how cold it gets in the space where the plants live. If possible, aim for no colder than 60 F at night and warmer during the day.

Regardless of the potting medium, it should be nearly dry before watering again each time. If your sphagnum is at all damp, wait before watering.

[LexyBoy]

Sphagnum takes a long time to dry in pots. My Phal (now mounted) was kept in its nursery pot of tightly packed Sphagnum and got watered I think thrice in six months without looking at all thirsty (admittedly one of those was being sat in a bucket of water outdoors for a week, oops). Certainly after more than a month the roots would still be green. That's on a windowsill with sun until about 1 pm.

[NeonKraken]

OK. The coldest it gets here is about 30˚-40˚ F. I currently don't have a greenhouse but am planning to build one within a few weeks. I would send a pic of the roots, but my camera takes a long time to upload on the computer.. Thanks

[rbarata]

The coldest it gets here is about 30˚-40˚ F

This is enough to kill your orchid, even if everything else is ok.
Nothing less that 60 F (15ºC).

I have it by a sunny window and it is planted in sphagnum moss

Critical: the sunny window. Phals can't take direct sun light or they will burn. They like lower indirect light.

Important but adaptable: sphagnum moss. It takes a lot to dry and inwinter, even if you reduce waterings, with cold temps rot is a certainty, especially with low temps as yours. I would repot in bark.

[NeonKraken]

Hmm... I meant to say 40˚F outside. Indoors, right now, its about 68˚F. I also forgot to mention that its a sunny window, but there are s few trees near it and its not really direct sunlight. Thanks so much for your time everyone.