Question
I was given an orchid as a going away gift. I've never grown them before. It had a bloom on it at the time, it has since lost the bloom and no new ones have appeared. it seems to have grown new leaves about mid way up the stem,but no flowers. Why is that? Also I have a couple of the roots that seem to have grown like vines,what do I do about those?
Thanks,
Cheryl

Answer
Based upon your description, you likely have a phalaenopsis or moth orchid.  If so, the leaves on the flower stem are the start of what could become a baby plant or clone of the mother.  Some types of phalaenopsis have this tendency.  It also can occur when light levels are too low.  If left to grow, the leaves will get larger and, eventually, the baby will have its own roots. When the roots get to be at least 2 inches long, you can remove it from the old flower spike and pot it up separately.

Phalaenopsis orchids usually flower once per year and then go into a new growth cycle.  The larger they grow before the next flowering, the more and larger the flowers will be.  Phalaenopsis have two types of roots: aerial roots (which you have described) and the roots that are present in the potting mix.  The plant that you have, had an ancestor that lived in a tree in the tropics (probably the Philippines) and that ancestor had roots that dangled in the air and collected rainwater with nutrients.  This characteristic is inherited in all phalaenopsis orchids.  

Since your orchid should be repotted (an annual repotting is important following flowering) I recommend that you obtain a bag of orchid potting mix from your garden center.  Then unpot you plant, toss the old potting mix, soak a portion of the new potting mix in  water while you carefully wash off the roots on your plant and then place it, with all of its roots in a pan of room temperature water.  The soaking for 15 minutes or more will cause the roots to turn green and then will be less likely to break during repotting.  Remove any "mushy" roots as these are rotten.  Now you are ready to repot.  Gather together all roots  (including the aerial roots) and set them in a plastic pot that is large enough.  One way to minimize root damage is to carefully turn the plant as you are inserting the roots into the pot.  You are, in effect, screwing the roots down into the pot-- this should help to minimize root damage-- especially to the aerial roots.  Once you have the plant situated in the new pot, drain the new potting mix and slowly add it to cover the roots in the new pot.  The plant should be deep enough in the pot to just cover all of the roots.  You may need to tap the bottom of the pot to help the new potting mix settle around the roots.  Set the newly potted plant aside to drain the excess moisture.  Phalaenopsis prefer to be grown in an east facing window or under lights.  You may want to stake the old flower spike to support it and the plant.