Question
My husband gave me a large purple phalaenopsis in full bloom for my new office, which has no windows and florescent lighting.  After about two weeks, all the flowers fell off, and I assumed the room environment was not conducive to its health.  I moved the plant into our atrium area (north-facing, indirect bright light)and didn't pay attention to it other than watering it once a week or so.  To my surprise, I noticed about a month later a little stem coming out of the main spike about half way up and now there are about 6 blooms that look gorgeous.  My question is, there are other things that look "stem-ish" coming up out of the moss around the pot edges - how do I know if these are roots or spikes?  Since the plant is doing much better, I am hesitant to hardly touch it, let alone move it. This is probably an obvious question, but I'm a complete orchid newbie.  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Kim,

Congratulations on the new office, even if it doesn't have windows!  (grin)  

That the phalaenopsis has done better in the new growing area is because it is happy and receiving good light exposure.  As for being able to determine if the new growth are roots or new flower stems, the easy way is by color.  New roots are usually grey to whitish-grey in color with a green tip while new flower stems will be either green or reddish-green.  By the way, the green tip on roots indicates the root is growing and when it becomes dormant in winter the tip turns grey until spring when it starts to grow again.  

On the stem, is the stem above the new blooming stem still alive or has it turned brown?  If it is brown, you can go up about an inch from the new stem and cut the brown part off.  If it is still green and alive, leave it alone for now.  

Keep up the good work with the phal.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.