Orchids aren't 'growing' ... ?

[mjz]

I am new to Orchid growing - or I should say, 'trying to grow' ... Over the years I would receive orchids as gifts (mostly Phalaenopsis) and they would look great for a few months, flowers wilt and the plant would die - no matter what I did.

A few years ago, however, I received a couple of Phalaenopsis and what a surprise when they didn't die, but managed to survive and then one of them put up another flower spike the following season! Right then I decided I can do this.

So I went to the Orchid show in town and wow - what an array of orchids. I bought Miltoniopsis in bloom. After the flowers wilted away - the plant just stopped. It's been over a year. Nothing. No root growth, no leaf growth - nothing. They look like fake plants. They're not dying - no yellow leaves, or other decay. They just don't grow.

I follow all of the guidelines (watering schedule, bark mix for the existing roots, and light).

Is there anything I can do to "encourage" growth - especially the roots?

Thanks