I'm getting this out of a great book i picked up at barnes and nobles. titled "four seasons of orchids"
so step 1:
"we will repot this phal. in a plastic pot and a fir bark mdeium" (if you know of any exotic growers in your area i'd ask them to repot your phal or ask for a medium you could buy.) "Fir bark may be initially difficult to wet, so presoaking in warm water will help condition it." (the local growers here advised that i let the bark sit in water for at least an hour before using.)

Step II: Remove the Pahl. from its pot using your fingers, oyster knife, or dull chisel. Remove as much old medium from the roots as possible."

Step III: If there are any roots that are ry and shriveled or soft and mushy, use sterilized shears to cut them off.

Step IV. Select a pot size that will accomodate the roots comfortably; roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of the total leaf span is a good rule of thumb.

Step V. Because plastic pots are lightweight and Phal. tend to have tall flower spikes, we will use some river rock landscape stones as drainage material to keep the flowering plant from being top-heavy.

Step VI. Center the orchid in the pot with the base of the leaves about 1/2 inch below the rim of the pot. Begin adding the dampened fir bark. Allow the leaves to sit above the medium.

Step VII. Add the moistened fir bark until it is up to the base of the leaves. Do not bury the leaves.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Chuck. Sorry my response took so long. This is my first chance back here since the long weekend. Yes your information will be very helpful. Thanks so so much!

Hi Linda ! If MD means you're in Maryland also I invite you to drop in on our Brookside Gardens Orchid Club (BGOC). You can visit our yahoo chat club. Our next meeting is in September, date not yet set.