First Orchid Crisis: Black Spots, Root Escape, and Moss Problems

Rayza's month-old Phalaenopsis: one spike good, one spike no flowers, "bulbs" dried, dark spot at leaf base. In moss. Expert: photos possible (icon to attach). Repot in commercial orchid mix (Lowe's/Home Depot). Moss keeps mix too wet = fungus (black spots). Unpot, remove all moss. Cut mushy roots. Plastic pot, drainage. Pot size = root mass. Soak bark mix 1+ hour. "Bulbs" were roots escaping wet mix—work into drier mix. "Stems" = old spikes, die back after bloom; new spike from base in ~1 year. Apply copper fungicide to black spots (prevents spread). Water weekly mornings. Small fan to dry leaves/mix after watering.