Fragmented roots
 

Hello,
me again. I have a question which will probably sound dumb but I need to ask. If a Phal which I am transplanting has all or nearly all roots fragmented (broken, and blackened in the cracks), do I cut almost all the root system? it seems unrealistic, but I have a feeling that those fragmented roots will die anyway.
I just don't think it's good to leave a plant with just one or two roots, if all the others are cracked into fragments/pieces.
Thank you !

Don’t worry about the cracks. Unless there’s significant soggy/squishy tissue, leave it alone.

I don't cut off any roots. I don't think it's easy to tell which are alive and which dead without a microscope.

Even a bad root is better than no root! An orchid with no roots has a near-zero chance of survival. The cracks in the outer coating of the root (the velamen, which is a "sponge" to help hold water) are not a major problem. The "business" part of the root is the stringy core. Even when the velamen is completely gone, the core of the root can passively take up water. So DON'T CUT!! The plant has no other way to get water.

Thanks to all for advice, yes, I thought I should keep them. It happened to me times and times again. Unfortunately, I thought the plant would be ok but eventually the cracks rotted and I lost a couple of orchids... Still I keep persevering. Some of them are doing well and blooming again.

When you repot, if you soak the roots for awhile, they will become more pliable and less inclined to break. Also, when putting into the new pot, work slowly and rotate the plant, gently twisting the roots into their new home.

Oh, wow! I knew about the soaking. but it never crossed my mind to twist the plant! And that makes sense! I usually just try to bend the roots to fit the shape of the pot, and I always have trouble sticking bark pieces in the middle, like under the tail of the stem.
I wish the twisting thing would have crossed my mind.
I'll be sure to try it next time when I repot one!
Thank you!

Work the plant into the pot, then just fill in with bark, tap to distribute it. If there are spaces, no problem... you're trying to create an environment in the root zone with "humid air", so if there are areas of roots that aren't covered, no problem because the surrounding bark is holding humidity.