Question
I had a beautiful flowering orchid about two years ago, and after the flowers died off, I (stupidly) cut the stem off. I've been trying to grow another stem for quite some time now, providing ample humidity, light, and fertilizing. The leaves are beautiful and healthy, but I can't get a stem. What do I do?

Answer
Jessie, it was not stupid to cut the stem (ie flower spike) on your phalaenopsis.  On some phalaenopsis hybrids, that flower spike dies back naturally.  You are approaching the time of year when your phalaenopsis should be sending up a new flower spike.  Check your fertilizer.  You should be using either a balanced fertilizer (eg 20-20-20 or 7-7-7) or a high phosphorous fertilizer (eg 7-60-10).  If you are using a fertilizer with a higher first number you are feeding it a lot of nitrogen which stimulates vegetative growth.  In recent years, the use of high phosphorous fertilizer to stimulate flowering has been called into question but manufactuerers still call the high phosphorous plant food "bloom boosters".  Secondly, if your leaves are a dark green, that is a sign that more light is needed.  The leaves should be a lighter color green as a sign of sufficient light.  You didn't indicate where you were growing the plant.  An east facing window with morning sun and/or florescent lighting is generally recommended.  Placed your finger between the plant leaves and the source of light.  You should be able to see a shadow on the leaves. Feel free t ask followup questions and/or provide more information.