Question
I have had this orchid (sorry...don't know name but it is the most common kind found in nurseries, Costco, etc)...for 1-1/2 years and it has bloomed 3 times.  It is in full bloom right now but one green leaf and a yellow one just fell off. I know leaves do fall off, but there is usually one left.  When it is done blooming, should I keep it to see what happens?  It's been beautiful.
Thanks...

Answer
Bonnie, it sounds as if you have a phalaenopsis orchid, otherwise called a moth orchid.  These need to be repotted in a special orchid potting mix after each flowering. I don't know about Cosco, but the garden centers at Lowes or Home Depot usually carry orchid potting mix. If it has no leaves, chances of survival are slim, but if you want to try anyway, there are lessons to be learned. Not all orchid potting mixes are alike.  Choose onee that has pieces of fir bark as one of its ingredients. You need a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes.  Soak a portion of the new potting mix whle you unpot your plant (fir bark repels water,so the soaking should reduce that). Next, rinse off the roots and discard the old potting mix. Notice that you have some roots that are mushy and/or stringy.  These are dead and the reason for the leaf loss.  Any good, healthy roots are firm and turn green when wet.  If you want to try to repot your plant, remove the bad roots and replace the good ones into the pot, adding the wet, new potting mix.  Place the pot where it can drain for a day and then move the plant to its growing area.

Unfortunately, most big box stores that sell orchids have no one on staff with the knowledge to grow them so they are just looking for customers to buy the flowers and not grow the plants. I know of sitations where even the ditributor doesn't have growing experience and gives poor advice to the retailer.