Top of roots look bad, But they look healthy near the bottom

[Root child]

Hey, so I wasn't really sure where to ask about this so I came here. I've had this phalaenopsis orchid for about a couple years and it's the first orchid I've ever had and I'm beginner so I don't really know too much so excuse my ignorance. But basically I recently re-potted it In this new black pot with bark, previously it was in a very small pot, clinging to the moss. But It was suffering from some root rot so I took away the medium, cut off the dead roots and re-potted it in bark. But I'm also concerned because the top roots look thin and dead but near the bottom they'll still look and feel alive. They kinda look like they're breaking apart and holding onto a plant thread. I'm just wondering if I should be concerned or what I can do to fix this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

some more info:
- I previously would only water from the top and it was so small and smooshed I wasn't able to not pour onto the roots but now I've been trying to soak it in water in a bucket
- It's currently winter

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

It looks pretty good, and your pot/medium combo is OK if the pot has a drainage hole.

Phal root sections exposed to low humidity (under 40%-50%) often collapse. The real living root is the thread inside, and if healthy roots are deeper in the pot, the plant can do fine. Getting Phals through a long, dark winter with artificial heat can be a challenge. They are warm-loving plants.

It might help to know what part of the country you live in. You can edit your profile to add this information. And it would also help to know your growing conditions - home? Greenhouse? Light? Temperature day/night? Humidity?

[Root child]

Thank you for the reply, It's relieving to know it's not in that bad of a state. As for some additional information:
-I live in Virginia
-It currently is growing inside my house, with about medium window light during the day but I do leave regular lamp lights on in the room at night, I'm not sure if that actually affects the orchid or not though.
-I'm not sure of the exact temperature but my guess is it usually 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit inside the house but sometimes the temperature is inconstant and it can definitely be on the colder side like 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit
-The pot does have drainage holes
-It tends to be rather humid in Virginia, it is currently 100% humidity outside, but the heater could be making things more dry inside the house. I don't know the exact humidity inside the house though and may need to buy a kind of device that can measure humidity.

I don't know all the specifics unfortunately but I hope that this information was useful to you.

[estación seca]

50 F / 10C - 60 F / 15.6C
30 F / -1C - 40 F / 4.4C
Yikes, that's way too cold for Phals. That alone can kill them. Any chance you could put them on a seedling heat mat? Most people try to keep them above 65 F, and even that is a compromise.

There are orchids that can take it into the 40s but most of the showy ones people grow in pots won't tolerate freezing.

[Root child]

I could buy a seedling heating mat, but as a temporary solution I could move it into the living room near a window where the temprature of the house is much more consitant and warm. Thanks for the info, I wasn't aware they liked warmth so much.