Question
hello,
I have 3 orchids (of my collection of 30), that i have a question about.  I have 3 phalaenopsis plants that, because of leaf rotting, lost all of their leaves.  I assume them to be dead...however, the root system (which i still keep watered) looks great!  They are large healthy roots that appear to be still GROWING!!!  I was wondering if there is any possibility that they would spout out a new leaf and continue life or am i just being hopeful?  If they are "dead", they why are the roots still growing?  I see new, shinny, roots coming out.  Thanks so much.  
Stephanie

Answer
Good questions Stephanie. Leaves grow from a group of cells nestled in the crown of the plant.  Loss of leaves may, or may not, be associated with crown rot.  If the crown, and hence these special cells, are destroyed new leaf tissue cannot regenerated.  If new tissue is to be produced. you should see that start in a couple of months.  If not, I think you can assume there are no regenerative cells remaining.

As to the roots. You will note that orchid roots have a lot of green coloration-- especially when wet.  This is because orchid roots have chorophyll and can photosynthesize.  You might say they are an organ system unto themselves. Unfortunately, they do not contain the meristemmatic tissue capable of developing into other parts of the plant. In this respect, they differ greatly from other plants whose roots do not photosynthesize.  This relates to the way in which epiphytic orchids grow in the wild with their roots often exposed to air and light.