Jeannie, I keep all of my Phals in 4"-41/2" plastic pots. I now prefer plastic because the roots like to cling to clay. That the roots wind up at the bottom of the pots is OK. When you want to change the growing medium is when the fir bark starts to decompose. Some people do that yearly some do it every 2 years.

You simply unwind the roots when you repot them. The roots have a growing tip on them, that's why you don't want to snip them off. If you go on Youtube you can see lots of people repotting Phals. That's helpful for me to see others do that. I like Brads Greenhouse as he shows the entire process and give good advice as he's going along.

You may also want to pick up a culture sheet for each type of orchid that you grow from the American Orchid Society.(AOS).

Good Luck with your new hobby. Warning like most hobbies it can get expensive.

Hi, phals like to be snug in their pot, so you would need a pot that the roots fit comfortable and about an inch of space around to accommodate a year worth of new growth.they are not fussy and is on the easy side of care.DONT ever remove healthy roots.only remove those that are rotted and not needed.remember healthy roots equal healthy plants.good luck and welcome to a very fulfilling hobby.ð Velleta

Thanks Braun and Valletta , yes this plant has beautiful root tips where some of my other Phals just have roots, this guys are so super healthy looking. The medium looks ok, but it may be getting a bit old.
I did order some clear pots from repot me, but I think they are way to large for this guy.
I also ordered some of their potting medium rather than using the big box stores medium. I may end up just changing the medium.
Jbraun, i do view the videos from Brads and a few others.

I'm fairly new to this but have about 10 orchids now that keep me very busy! Lol
As for expensive, orchids are my least expensive hobby, my horse uses up all my cash first! Lol