New Here, Need Some Help
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I am guessing you have a Phalaenopsis Orchid, also know as a Moth orchid because of the blossom shape. (rounded, fairly flat, with a distinct 'lip'.) You can look in the photos section of this forum and see examples of phals to see if that is indeed what you have.
You were right to get it out of the soil and into bark. Did you notice the condition of the roots - were they green or white and firm? Those are live roots. If they were brown and squishy then they were dead roots. If you had some of the dead roots, you should take the plant out of the pot, and with a clean, sterile blade, cut off all the bad roots. Repot the plant, being sure the bark comes up to the bottom of the 1st leaf. How much light is the plant getting? Phals should not be placed where they get direct sunlight, but they do need good light from either a window or a grow light.
The plastic pot with lots of holes is good, is there any airspace between the pot and the wooden container? Many growers put those foam "peanuts" used for packing in the bottom of the pot to ensure proper drainage. This plant does not like being smothered by soil or water. So try to arrange it so the plastic pot gets some air movement. Water the plant when it dries, depending on the bark mix you got, that could be very often, like twice a week. Stick your finger down into the bark up to your knuckle. If the bark is not damp, water it. Make sure that all the water drains out of the holes before you put it back in the wooden container. Figure that if you have it in a 6" pot, then you would need to pour about a gallon of water through the bark each time you water. Don't let water get into the spaces between the leaves and the main plant, this will cause rot.
the dry, cracked surface roots mean not enough moisture - not just watering, but humidity. These roots should be cut off along with the other dead roots, and when new roots appear, mist them daily with a spray bottle.
Your plant has been through a lot - and Phals don't like to be moved to a new environment, let alone being repotted twice - especially one in bloom. So be considerate - if you really want to keep the plant and get blooms again next year, then I would cut off the flower spike now. Flowers get all their energy from the plant, making the plant weaker. However, I know how hard it is to cut off good flowers. So - if the leaves are firm and not brown on the tips, then you can probably save it without cutting off the flower spike. The flowers normally open from the bottom of the spike first, and they are the first to die. So if you are losing the lower blossoms, thats normal.
There is a lot of information, but for now, the important things are the water, the moisture and the light. So - if it is in the direct light of the sun, move it to a bright spot near a window but not in the sun, clean up those roots and repot making sure it has very good drainage. Water it as described, and a daily misting won't hurt! Also check the web for the American Orchid Society - they have information on growing all the different types of orchids
Good luck, let us all know how it goes.. PS what part of the country do you live in (I'm assuming you are in USA)? Local climate can make a big difference in how fast a plant dries out, etc.
