If you pot them straight up you will find that in time they will tend to bend towards the main light source. So, I suppose if you had the plant directly under a light it would remain upright.

While the leaves remain green they are helping the plant so leave them alone.

As to the growing method/medium. There are many variations depending on some extent where you are in the world and the conditions you can provide.

My two cents:

1. I would not cut any of the leaves until they brown and die, maybe you'll have to cut the end of the leaves off below the mechanical damage at some point.

2. I'd plant it straight up and then use bamboo sticks, rhizome clips or whatever to help support it until the new roots grab hold. If moving to S/H be sure to keep it warm (>60F).

When drastically changing an orchid between medias my experience is that you will usually loose all of the existing roots, although very new roots may make the transition. I think a switch to S/H potting is especially hard on existing roots. The only way I've been able to beat this is to switch to a new media that's 'similar' to the old and then slowly (every year?) make the change to something closer to your preferred media. I'm currently doing this with a couple of phals that were originally in spagh and I want to get them into a bark media. Early last spring I switched them to a coconut husk mix as it stays damp and dries out somewhat like spagh but is chunky like a bark mix. I'll repot into my preferred bark media this spring/early summer although they are doing nicely in the coconut husk mix. Overall it will be about 2 years to make the switch and get them established.

Phals are generally pretty easy to transplant but because of the lack of leaves and roots, this one may be a battle.

Good luck,

Bob

For all the cosmetic damage those leaves have, they are actually still quite healthy. And the few roots that are there are also really healthy and growing actively. Always leave the leaves intact, new ones will grow in and these will eventually fall off by themselves. It looks fine upright, just as it is.

As far as your semi-hydro set up: it's going to be a little difficult to keep the humidity up around those roots. It'll work, but you'll have to water it more than you might if it was in bark, which absorbs moisture and releases it over the days to keep the roots happy. As long as you run some water through it more often, this plant will grow.

I'd consider a top dressing of sphagnum moss. Not actually snugged up against the base of the plant, but in a loose ring around the top. This will, again, create some humidity to encourage root growth. The opening in the sides of the pot will still allow airflow to the roots. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice! Alright, i will leave these rabbit ears alone. I realized how strong this little guy is because in my mothers house, it must've grown these leaves while laying flat in the pot, reaching for the light near the window. They don't fan out like wings. I'm also seeing a new little leaf peaking out. ^_^ The only orchid advice my mom took from me was don't over water it, so she did something right. I've also repotted the rescue with bark mix and hydroton, standing it upright with some bamboo skewers from daiso and twist ties. I live in norcal and I don't open the windows very often during these rainy days, I also op to wear layers rather then turn the heater on. I know, i know: I need to give them ventilation! Hence, the hydroton balls. But yes, i've noticed that since this isn't true s/h, the hydroton drys faster especially when it was a sole medium in a pot with vents. I will be sure to water this little guy a bit more.

I think you've set up that little guy to win! More happy leaves are sure to follow. The great thing about the hydroton is that it's really not possible to overwater in a drier climate like yours. The extra water will simply drain out as fast as you pour it in. The only thing that will remain is humidity around the roots.

Don't stress too much about ventilation, either: the holes in the side of the pot will provide all the air movement it needs.