[brookn]

Hi, has this plant ever been repotted? The sphag in that pot is long soured, and if this is the original sphag that the plant came in, I am shocked that it has lasted this long. If indeed that is a new leaf (I cannot tell from the pic, can you get a clearer one?), and you truly are on board with saving it you will have to repot. Your description of the roots outward condition makes me suspect that the plant has rotted from the root up. I would not bother cutting the spike, let it bloom, but you probably need to repot if it is even possible to save the plant. You might get lucky and it will throw a keiki. It seems to me if it is indeed growing a leaf, that this is one tough plant, but it will be a couple years of recovery if it recovers at all. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is just a learning experience for everyone, next time around it will be better. Go get a new plant to console yourself, and we will all be happy to help you right from the beginning. And if you are truly wanting to save this one, we will be happy to advise you on what to do next. Also I have found that a plant in a plastic lined cachepot like that cannot get enough air to the roots making the mix even more stagnant.