Phalaenopsis roots like all-over spritzing. They are built the way they are built in order to quickly get moisture out of the air because in all practicality they are very like air-plants. They sit there on a tree and gather mist and rain. It goes by them very quickly so it does not pool. So this "bulb" is it directing the water to one place? I would not even know how it works. I water once per week, let the water drain through the pot (so it doesn't sit) and then spray the roots with a spray bottle a few times a week. That is how you water epiphytic orchids.
In the "rainy season" monsoon in the tropics, the roots put out a lot of growth (obviously also the leaves/new growth) and in the cold dry weather, they need less water and stop growing. Sometimes this is when they put out their flower spike. That is how the year goes for them. So right now-- new growth lots of water, but fast draining. Winter, no growth-- not much water.
By orchid soil, I suppose you mean "bark." Yes, they have that in bags at Lowes and so on.
If you have wrinkling leaves, soak it in some water (do not immerse leaves). Look at the base (have you ever grown a pineapple?) you will see little bumps and maybe roots tips starting.
roots are little jelly-like green, white, or pink ends on a silvery velamen. When those little root tips start you give them as much water as much as possible but do not get it in the "cup" of the leaves. As long as the water is in, and out quickly you can water every day.
---------- Post added at 02:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 PM ----------
By the way, I do not see any rot on the roots. I see some old roots (brown), and I see some young roots (white). The flower spike looks like a flower spike that is done blooming. How long was it in bloom? Yes there is an unopened flower, but it also has several off-shoots.
The problem is that watering globe. You want all the roots to get wet, not a little spot on the bottom of the pot.
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