Question
i have just received a white orchid and it has lots of roots coming out at the top of the earth, should i repot  it and cover the roots or just leave them hanging out.It is a double orchid.Please help!!

Answer
Belinda, you should repot the plant once it has stopped flowering. It needs to be in a special orchid potting mix.  There are several types of potting mixes suitable for orchids.  The best has pieces of fir bark among its ingredients.  Also, you should use a pot (preferably plastic) with lots of drainage holes.  Soak the potting mix prior to use as dry fir bark repels water and soaking will reduce this repellancy. You may choose to repot the two plants together or pot them up separately.  You can place the aerial roots (ie those outside of the pot) inside of the pot when you repot. Best to rinse off all of the roots before repotting as they become less brittle and less subject to breakage when repotting.  Remove any roots that are mushy as these are dead.  My assumption is that you have a phalaenopsis orchid and my advice is based upon that assumption.