Phal roots black
 

Hi everyone! I'm repotting a phal, and some of the roots have black places on them. Normally, I would think they were sick and cut them, but they're firm and plump roots that look otherwise healthy. I'd hate to cut off so many roots if they're okay, but I also don't want to lose my phal to a preventable disease.

I've attached a photo for you to see what I mean. The black doesn't show up really well in the image, but at least you can kind of see what I'm talking about. Thoughts?

Don't cut anything that is firm and doesn't peel off, dark color might happen from roots touching pieces of charcoal in the medium and doesn't necessarily mean that roots are bad.
Even when the roots are not firm, I don't cut them off, I just peel away the rotten velamen leaving the inner root string on. It will help to anchor the plant in the pot especially when there is not much of healthy roots left.

Thank you for your response! I use charcoal in all of my pots just about, so that makes sense. I cut a few, but left most of them. I hope I didn't harm the orchid.

The roots look okay to me. I'd say it is a happy plant! Yeah, I try not to be too quick in cutting off roots. As already suggested, feel the root, then also observe the leaves. And I see the container is well ventilated so the roots of your Phal will enjoy that a lot!