Your orchid should be just fine. I have several phals myself and its not the end if the world for a root to break like that. It usually heals itself and continues to grow on. I've found on many different forums over the years that some people break the roots like that intentionally so they can put them in the pot where they want them to fit there pots better. From what I understand if your planning to break a root wet it down before breaking it. But from my experience your root will be just fine. Good luck with your new phal.

Thank you. I was a little worried about it. :)

Up until today, my phal only had two small problems. She has a broken root and a small, yellow leave that had been covered by moss. She only has one bud and five flowers. Now, the bud is starting to turn yellow. Is this just bud blast because I brought her home to a new environment? Is there any way to save the bud? It hasn't wrinkled yet.

This post was edited by unc24 on Wed, Apr 3, 13 at 17:18

My knowledge may not be accurate but;
Phals prefer very bright shade and very little to no direct sunlight (if any direct sunlight, i believe only morning can be tolerated). You may have overwatered the phal, a known problem with most plants potted in sphagnum moss.
Hopefully someone more knowledgable can shed some light, pics would probably help.

Well sorry to say. If the bud has began to turn yellow. The bud will be a loss it could be from a number of things. It could have already blasted when it was still at your local Lowes and it just hasn't showed its signs of yellow until now. That's what usually happens to me. Most of the time during this time of the year. The exotic plants are kept indoors and the lighting conditions are not the best for house plants so things like that happen. I would not blame yourself for the bud loss, you have only had the plant for a couple days. Based on your picture, don't water that orchid until the moss begins to dry out. The rule of thumb in moss I've always been told is when you touch the moss on top; if its beginning to feel crunchy then then you can water it. Make sure above all the pot it's in has a hole on the bottom to let water drain out when you water. You don't ever want a build up of water trapped in the pot or it will kill the roots real fast. Give it a chance to come around to your environment and with basic TLC your plant will be good to go. Again, chances are the bud was already under the way of dying before you bought it.

Thanks, dlsorchids. When I bought it, the bud was green and healthy looking but I guess that is possible. The people at Lowes may have overwatered it because it was very wet when I bought it. I have not watered it yet and I am not going to water it until the moss dries. The pot does have a hole in it. Once again, thank you for the advice.