[junkgrits]

Hello all!

My wife received a beautiful orchid in bloom back in April 2008 as a gift. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of with blooms, but after having scoured the web a bit, I think it is a Phalaenopsis of some type. In fact, the blooms that existed looked extremely similar to the ones in the "OrchdGeeks.com" header image at the top of the forum (white with slight purple/yellow center). After about a month, the blooms fell off, and the spikes started to turn brownish white (over time). My wife, who has a green thumb - but has no experience with orchids, assumed that the plant was dying, and having heard that orchids were difficult to care for, discarded it. One day after returning from work, I noticed the orchid had been moved from its usual hangout, and found it in the trash can!!

So my curiosity began. How could I do right by this poor orchid? I pulled it out of the trash can, as I was not convinced that the poor thing had seen its final days. I read the usual pointers found on just about every orchid website on care (watering, medium, humidity, light, etc.). At the time it had 4 very green, meaty leaves that appeared (at least in the eye of this total novice) to be healthy, and 1 deteriorated, brown, dry leaf, which I cut off at its base. The plant had two bare spikes that were each about 18 inches long, and I cut them down. I moved the plant from an island in the kitchen where it a good bit of received florescent light to a location receiving about 2-4 hours of early morning sun. and began to very lightly water about every 7-10 days. Time wise, this resurrection occurred probably around late May or early June.

Things seem to have been moving along okay after the resurrection. I could see no deterioration of any sort, so I figured that was a good sign. The appearance of spikes, roots (it has had some roots overhanging the surface of the medium since we got it), and leaves remained pretty much unchanged. But then about 3 weeks ago, I noticed a new leaf budding from the core! This would be (new) leaf number 5. And just this past week, another leaf is budding -- leaf number 6. I knew this plant wasn't dead!

As you can imagine, I'm pretty excited. I've attached some photos of its current condition, and I have some questions.

1) Notice the "overflowing" roots that hang out above the surface. Is that normal? Should they be out? Does this mean repotting is appropriate?

2) The spikes "look dead". They are white-brownish and remind me of mini-dried bamboo in texture and presence. What should I do with these, if anything (cut them down, leave them alone, etc.)

3) In image IMG_2533, IMG_2534, and IMG_2535, notice the moist medium in the bottom 1/3 of the pot. I admit that the last time I watered, about 4-5 days ago, I think I may have put a little too much water in there. But I'm not sure really what amount of water I *should* be applying. I'm not sure if the images convey the moist roots that are at the bottom of the pot. In the past, these looked dry. I've read that a crucial point is to ensure that roots do not stay saturated for fear of rotting. Is that correct? And, if you can judge by the picture, do these moist roots look like they are in danger? And if so, what would be the best remedy, here? Note that there is no standing water in the plastic pot (nor the terracotta pot that the pot shown here normally resides in). But there is a small amount of condensation on the inside of the plastic pot in the lower 1/4 or so of the pot.

4) Does this plant look like it needs to be repotted?

Any education or help would be *much* appreciated!!

Thanks!!