Question
Hi Wayne,

I have had this orchid for a little over a year now. I bought while it was in bloom and it appeared to be perfectly normal. It lost it's flowers about after about two months, but the stem was still green, so I didn't cut it back. Now about 8 months later, it bloomed again. Except this time it grew two leaves,two upside down flowers, and two roots. All in the middle of the stem. Do you know why this would happen?

Answer
Alex, old orchid flower spikes that remain green contain meristemmatic tissue at each node (ie joint) that can give rise to new plants.  These plants develop leaves, roots, and, if left on the old flower spike, may actually flower on the old flower spike.  These can be removed and potted up when the leaves and roots approach 2 inches in length. This is normal for orchids when the old flower spike remains green after flowering.  It is so common that these new plants are called keikis. These could be considered clones of the mother plant.