Is this type pot and this orchid bark good?
 

New to orchids and wanted to make sure I'm getting stuff that is actually good before purchasing. What are your thoughts on this bark and this style plastic pots. Thanks so much!

Both look appropriate.

Both may be appropriate.

An orchid doesn’t “want” or “prefer” a particular potting medium or container. What it needs is an appropriate set of growing conditions, which may-, or may not include those particular items.

The key is to provide moisture AND good airflow to the roots. If you grow in a very humid environment, that coarse bark and slotted pot may be appropriate, but in a drier environment, the combination might dry too quickly, requiring you to water very frequently to give the plant enough water.

In other words, understand the needs of the plant, then consider how you can achieve that.

Going by information in your other thread, your Phalaenopsis is currently in the pot it came in three years ago that has no drainage holes at all. The plastic pot with holes will definitely enable more air movement, something orchid roots need. Be aware, though, that over time, roots will grow out through those holes, which is not a bad thing in itself, but come repotting time, you may have to sacrifice the pot and get a new one because you may have to cut the slots open to get the roots out without breaking them off too badly.

I use clear plastic pots with holes on the bottom and slots on the side for all of my Phals. I like being able to see the roots on the inside, which helps a lot in knowing when to water.

The bark you have linked looks very good in the photo, if that's what it ends up looking like, and has very good ratings on Amazon. Just make sure it is clean, and if it seems dusty or dirty, rinse it off before using, and if there are too many "fines" or tiny pieces, sift those out first.

Going by information provided in your previous thread, you will have to water a lot more than you are used to. My Phals that are potted similarly get watered two to three times a week. Take the plastic pot to the sink and pour water over it liberally until it looks like all of the bark and roots have been wetted. You may, if you wish, keep that plastic pot inside a prettier cache pot in between watering.

Feel free to post back with any other questions as you go along. I know that Phal has sentimental value to you.

P.S. Temps in the 60s in your laundry room, as mentioned in your other thread, are not doing this Phal any good. I'm hoping you have someplace warmer in the house you can move it to. If not, consider the heat mat suggested.

Okay, so got it out of the pot and soaked it in water for a little bit to soften the clump of medium hardened in the middle of the roots, then picked all the old medium outta the roots. Here's what I've got left. A few of the roots got sorta ripped a little getting the old stuff off, but they were some of the brown ones, I tried to be extra careful with the green ones. Also, went to the only store in town that had anything for orchids and found this pot which looks like it's probably way to big, you think? Should I go ahead with this big pot just so it will be in something or should I just leave it bare root until I get a new one online? Any other tips on what else I should or should not do to it would be awesome. Right now I just have it resting in the big pot on top of some granite gravel in the big pot which is what you see in the last picture. Thank yall so much for all of your help to keep this guy alive!

MIght want to consider a humidity tent, there doesn't appear to be but one or two live roots (could be wrong).

Okay, let me see what I can rig up lol also, is this bark/charcoal/ pearlite stuff any good or should I just take it back to Lowe's and wait for the other stuff I previously showed that I found on Amazon?

I have never opened a bag of that...but it tends to make my skin crawl (gut impression). Surely someone has actually opened a bag ?

That pot is 'way too big. You need to use a pot that is just barely big enough to accommodate the roots. If you can't find a "dedicated" pot (one sold for plants), you can use a suitably-sized food container, just cut or burn holes for drainage. The roots that were in the pot don't look great, but they'll help keep the plant going until it grows some new ones. Even if the velamin (the coating on the roots) is bad, the core of the root can still transfer water, though not as efficiently. And those roots will help keep the plant stable in the pot when you add the bark - really important for the development of new roots.

When you get the bag of bark open, what you want to look for is whether it has "fines" mixed in with the chunks. If so, you can sieve it to remove the little stuff. Or wait for that Amazon shipment. The details of the medium aren't that important, it is just a means to an end - which is "humid air" around the roots. When you water, flush it well to bring air into the root zone as well as flushing "crud". Then let it dry out for a few days. And repeat. One way to learn how fast that "wet-dry" cycle works in your environment... Water the plant well, let it drain, then weigh it on a kitchen scale or postal scale. Weigh it again the next day. When the rate of weight loss slows down (not much more water to evaporate) then it's time to water again. After you do this a few time, you'll have a feel for the watering frequency that you need.

Your plant will be fine bare-root until the bark in shipping arrives. Just soak the roots every day for an hour or so, and make sure they dry before soaking again.

That pot is far too big. Get a pot that just holds the roots. A pot that small will probably dry out too fast if it has slots, so I would recommend one without slots.

Any pot you have lying around the house of the correct size will be fine; it doesn't need to be transparent. Wash a previously used pot first with soap and water, then sanitize it with some diluted bleach on a sponge or paper towel.

A plant that dehydrated and nearly rootless is not likely to recover unless you keep it a lot warmer. I suggest a heat mat as others mentioned.