Just curious, Gary - why the bleach and sulfur? There are less intense ways to deal with root rot - plus, you've cut off the dead roots, so, presumably, the remaining ones are healthy and need more nurturing than sterilizing. Also - a mini-phal from a box-store? You'll end up spending more on treatment than you did on the original plant, if you haven't already. Many of those sphag-potted mini-phals are the so-called impulse items that the store wants people to throw in their shopping carts as they're checking out, with the theory that these plants are little more than cut flowers - intended to be disposable after a limited amount of time. It sounds so much as if you're willing to care for a truly deserving orchid that maybe you might want to research where you can get a long-term, special orchid that has been grown for the hobbyist and not for the casual consumer.

I write this as one who went through about 5 mini-phals from grocery stores, etc, and, after discovering that there was a whole world of orchids out there, moved quickly on to collecting different orchids that were really gratifying - beautiful AND healthy. Do you have a local orchid society that you could join? That's always a great resource for both plants and mentors. Also, you might want to check the AOS website for Orchid Shows somewhere near your home (sometimes you have to drive a little bit, but it's worth it) - we're heading right into orchid show season now, and there are shows all over the place. Those are REALLY good places to both buy orchids AND learn how to grow them.

I don't mean to lecture you at all - it's just that you really seem eager to get into orchid growing, and saving a mini-phal is such a small piece of everything that's out there.

Please don't stop learning and asking for advice - you seem like you're on the right track.

Maura