Question
I was just given my 1st orchid for valentines day.  Before i begin to feed and
water it i want to make sure I'm doing it right.  I know i need to water him
once a week with fertilizer while its in bloom.  Any suggestions on that
process?

And.... two of its leaves are split down the middle :(  is there anything i can do
to mend them?  or encourage re-growth?

I do not know what species it is.  It is 24" high in bloom the leaf part of the
plant it 9" from the soil.  It has 6 blooms each almost 5".  

Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Lauren, what you do is very dependent upon the type of orchid you have.  The most common type is the phalaenopsis (otherwise called the moth orchid) but your description does not match that of the moth orchid. The moth orchid has its leaves all near the potting mix and the flower spike usually originates near the base of the leaves.  Does your plant have pseudobulbs (ie large bulbous growths with the leaves coming off from the top of the growth) or does it have canes ( cylindrical growths that have leaves near the top)?

The type of orchid helps to determine how to care for it.  Split orchid leaves cannot be repaired but the condition producing split leaves can be remedied. Split leaves suggests a mineral deficiency.  You can feed the plant Dynagrow's "Protek" which will strengthen new leaves as they appear and before they have the opportunity to split.  There is nothing to be achieved in feeding a plant that is out of its annual growth cycle.  Orchids have regular cycles of rest, followed by growth, followed by flowering, and returning to a resting phase.  There are a few types of orchids (such as the moth orchid) that don't follow this cycle.  Dendrobium orchids and others will rot if watered while in their rest period or will begin an out-of-phase growth that will be a weak growth.  Repotting always should be done when an orchid begins a new growth cycle.