Hello KathyBack, I would have just left it alone. It may just be salt accumulation. Never cut actively growing roots. Just leave them be, and provide as much air circulation. We all have our media growing preferences for our orchids. Personally, I am not a fan of using sphagnum moss with Phals, I grow them drier by using chunky bark mix or any other chunky media.. Those thick roots likes as much air around it.
