Question
My husband gave me my very 1st Orchid for our 1st wedding aniversary and a haven't a clue how to care for it.  I've done some research and I am learning to maintain it.  I have some concerns though.  1st, what do i do when the blooms fall off, do I do any pruning? 2nd, I find the roots odd, I've never seen roots like these, they almost look like the stalk, and they are starting to grow up out of the soil, are they new stalks?  What does a new stalk look like? What does a new bloom look like?

Answer
Amber, flower spikes on phalaenopsis orchids are either the type that turns brown and dies back or the type that stays green.  If it is of the forer type, you may cut it off near where it originates on the plant.  If it stays green, cut it off above a node (ie joint) in the flower spike.

Roots consist of two parts.  The outer,thick part, is the velamin and stores water and nutrients. At the center of the root is a root hair which delivers the water and nutrients to the plant,  Since, in nature, orchids usual grow on trees with their roots dangling free, pot culture is not their natural habit and you will see roots naturally wanting to climb out of the pot.  Phalaenopsis orchids usually flower only once per year, so it is likely that it is the aerial roots emerging from the potting mix. New flower spikes are green while roots are white to tan and only turn green when they are soaked in water.

I recommend that you repot your plant when it has finished flowering.  You will need to purchase a special potting mix for orchids which usually has fir bark as one ingredient.  Soak a portion of the new potting mix in water while you unpot your plant.  Rinse off the roots and check to see if any have collapsed.  Remove any collapsed roots before repotting. Use a pot with lots of air/drainage holes in the bottom.  You may want to use a somewhat latger pot size that will allow you to get those aerial roots into the pot.  Slowly turn the pot as you lower the plant into the pot.  This will minimize root damage which sometimes occurs during repotting,  Only add the new potting mix after the plant is positioned in the pot.  Only the roots should be in the potting mix.