Look for some good bark orchid potting mix, it should be coarse like a bowl of pretzel nuggets. I would also look for a terracotta pot that will sit inside that white pot , the rim of the terra-cotta should sit above so you can pull it out. Looks like 4” pot would work.

Next I would take it out of the pot and check the roots. Anything brown and mushy cut off. Rinse off all of the old moss and re pot. Give it a good soaking so all of the bark gets wet. I like to put my finger on the drainage hole and fill the pot with water, count to 20 and drain.

Then put a little water in the white pot. The water should not touch the terra cotta pot. The water will give you a boost in humidity. Water it about once a week and don’t get water in the crown of the plant.

You won’t see much happen for a while, the plant will likely go dormant. Try to keep the temperature watering and light consistent. It may not recover no matter what you do, when they decide to die it hard to get them to change, but there is a chance.

A lot of times the plant is treated poorly before it’s sold and are starting to die before you get it.

The moss and plastic pot are good for shipping, cheap light, stays damp and doesn’t spill. Not so great for the plant, damp cold , no air flow = dead roots.

James, actually sphagnum moss makes an excellent media for basic Phalaenopsis orchids, probably the very best media for dry house conditions. Part of why it works so well is that it's better than just about anything at transferring and balancing water throughout the pot. So as the surface dries you can be sure that the very bottom of the pot is almost dry as well, unlike bark. It is so great for beginners because it tells you visually and by touch exactly when you should water. It gives more when-to-water communication that any other soil media, so it makes it easy for beginners to have success. It definitely is not too wet for basic Phalaenopsis if it's not packed tight, and if you just let it get surface dry before watering. Millions of of these plants are grown in Sphagnum by the pro's, and it's not because it's cheap.

Bark media will not rescue the orchid above as a houseplant (maybe in a greenhouse). Leo, check out the Sphag and bag method of orchid rescue. It will guarantee success with this level of damage. Get those flower spikes pruned off asap, and possibly consider also not letting it flower next fall to build more volume and strength first.

With Phals, you can NOT get water in the crown, it will die overnight. If you do immediately tip the plant and get the water out of there. You can put some Hydrogen Peroxide in the middle and kill off any bacteria that has set up. I would remove from the pot, strip all the bedding, cut off anything that is rotten or dead and lay it on a wire rack/screen and mist it daily a few times (let the roots absorb the water) to see if you can get it to send out a root. Leave the spike and cut anything dead off of the top just before the little node you see IOW leave the node. When orchids think they are in trouble they will send a kiki (baby) or bloom. I doubt you will see a bloom.

In general phals have a wide leaf, which means that in the rain forest they are living in dense canopy of trees, the wide leaf allows them to capture all the sun they can. So try and simulate that growing environment. Lower light, not direct that will burn. Food /Water.

Phals have no reserve system for water other then the leaves so you can let them dry a little but then water again, they rather be moist then dry. With covid now all meetings are on hold but when things open back up. Look for a local Orchid club they are a ton of fun, you will learn so much. Ours has a Christmas party and picnic each year, a fantastic speaker each month and by the end of your first year you will have started a great collection of plants that you either won or was gifted by the club. Hope I was able to help.

jjaazzy,

Certain ones do get rot and others don't, but it is a safe practice to avoid water in the crown although none of mine give me a problem if its warm water and the fans blow them dry rather quickly. The hydrogen peroxide is a great trick. I know it works.

I think in nature, correct me if wrong, don't they hand in a way that water readily runs away from the crown?

Hi Mike. Yes your right. That's the way they grow in nature. I've seen them growing on trees in Puerto Rico and they are growing in massive clumps.

Meyermike Exactly, you can simulate that position with your phals so the water doesnt collect in the middle. We humans like to grow them in pots so they look pretty but if you can tilt them that is best. I just lost a bunch of plants due to ETA bringing nonstop rain and floods and my tent frame broke and dropped 2 polls of plants into flood waters. Boo. We will see what survives.

Leo,

In my opinion that orchid is a 'goner'. Even an experienced grower would struggle to keep the orchid alive, let alone thrive.

Instead of spending money on trying to save this one, go pick one up at a big box store for $20-$25 that's in bloom and then follow instructions above concerning watering and keeping water out of crown. If you do purchase a new one, come back and let us know what media it has (spagh or bark) and we can give you more pointed advise on how to water and just as importantly where to place.

Sorry but good luck if you try another,

Bob