Question
Now that I have been reading up on care of the Phal Orchid I believe I cut my flower spike back to early. I live in Ontario, Canada and fall is just about here. It was still green and I believe growing new flowers. I seen a new leaf growth so I cut the flower spike back to the leaf foliage. Will this harm my plant? After I cut back the flower spike I re-potted in a orchid mix and cut off all the mushy roots will this harm my flowering? This is my first orchid and I want to make sure I did not harm it. Another  thing where the new leaf is growing it looks like it is a purplish color at the base, is this bad? All my other leaves are a nice green not to dark and not to light but the roots have started growing threw one of the leaves at the base, should I leave these be? I pray I have not hurt my plant they are absolutely beautiful and it would be a shame if I did something wrong with it. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Tracy, cutting the flower spike back will not harm your plant. Repotting your plant in fresh orchid mix after removing the mushy roots is good.  Just be sure that the fresh potting mix is not dry as that will pull moisture out of the good roots. The purplish color at the base of the new leaf is normal. Yes, I would not disturb the healthy root growth. It appears that your reading has served you well.  Please feel free to stay in touch any time you have questions or concern about your phalaenopsis.  Since you so obviously take great joy in your plant, it is very important that your enthusiasm be nutured. There is a Southern Ontario Orchid Society that meets monthly at the Toronto Botanical Garden.  You might enjoy meeting fellow enthusiasts and enjoy their programs.