| Dear mammomom,
Welcome to the forum. Dennis posted an excellent article on how to repot an orchid. Give it a read and repot your Phal (Phals are monopodial). Do not re-use mix, get some fresh mix and give the roots a good rinse to remove any salt residue from the softened water. If the Phal is the only orchid you have, you could probably buy spring water (non-carbonated) from your grocery to water it. That would'nt be too expensive. Or if you have a kitchen tap that is not softened water, you could use that.
Since I and so many others (as you have read) have had bud drop when a new Phal is broght home, I would not worry about that. If you get your Phal in mew fresh mix and avoid the softened water, it very well could bloom nicely for you next year.
Cheers,
-Kevin |