Question
I have an orchid 18 months old after it first flowered I cut the stem as per instructions to about 1 inch from the base it has never done anything since apart from all the roots seems to die off so I removed them as the outer leaves seemed very healthy I now seem to have a new leaf growing and I have started feeding the plant what could be wrong and am I doing the right thing

Answer
Catherine, the condition you described sounds like root rot.  Obtain a small bag of fresh orchid potting mix from your local garden center.  Remove the plant from its pot and discard all of the old potting mix.  Wash the roots thoroughly and remove any "mushy" roots as they are dead.  Repot the plant in the fresh orchid potting mix after removal of the rotted roots.  Feed the repotted plant weakly weekly (about 1/4 tsp of plant food per gallon of water).  The water should be close to room temperature.  Phals also have aerial roots, which is normal, but without sufficient humidity about the plant, the tips of the aerial roots will cease to grow.  You should be more concerned about those roots down in the potting mix.  The aerial roots may do better if the plant was on a humidity tray but many people consider the aerial roots unsightly.  In any event, don't remove the aerial roots.