Phalaenopsis struggling to grow roots

[lemonslice27]

Hi everyone,

I am completely new to orchids and my first and only Phalaenopsis plant was given to me as a gift in September of last year.

The orchid has lost most of its roots (or possibly didn't have a strong root system to begin with) and I have had it growing in sphagnum moss the last 6 months or so (transitioned from bark originally). There was also a brief period early on when it was in potting soil before I read that that was the completely wrong environment for it and switched to the moss and a pot made specifically for orchids that offers more aeration and a drainage hole.

It has grown a lot of new leaves and a flower spike, however its old roots have not grown longer and no new roots have formed for at least half a year. I currently give it the prescribed amount of orchid fertilizer (Miracle Gro Orchid Food Fertilizer) every 2 weeks. I tried to give it root hormone powder a couple months ago but it did not seem to help at all.

How can I help my orchid's root growth? It has lasted a long time with such few roots but I am worried eventually it will die.

I've attached pictures to hopefully give a better idea of the state of the roots and stem. I'm afraid the stem might be in bad shape but am unsure.