Mystery orchid with woody stem

[shereel]

I am a total orchid newbie and was hand-me-downed an orchid (no idea what type, Phalaenopsis maybe?) and it has a dry and papery stem where leaves from years past have died and been cut off. However, its roots come from various places along the stem so I can't really cut it down.

I repotted the orchid in a mix of bark, charcoal, and perlite (when I received it, it was tightly packed in sphagnum moss and roots were rotting) but the woody stem protrudes above the medium. It's not very attractive and every other video or photo of orchids I've found online doesn't have this.

I've been misting the top of the medium and the aerial roots in the mornings to keep it moist and promote root growth (there's one nub emerging!) since there is no moss in the potting medium. I put extra holes into the plastic pot I repotted it into, which sits inside a decorative ceramic pot that has a tiny bit of water in the bottom dish to create a humid environment. The whole set up is on a north-east facing window and I've watered it by flooding it and letting it drain.

Can anyone help answer these questions:
1. Do I need to do anything about the stem?
2. Am I caring for the orchid correctly?
3. What kind of orchid is this?
4. I bought miracle grow orchid fertilizer mist, should I use this once a week and when should I start?

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[nicola]

Welcome to Orchidboard,
Your plan seems to be a phalaenopsis.
The dry part at the base of the leaves should not be removed, you may favorure infections that could harm the growth point of the new leaves.
Phalaenopsis have not a true stem they are monopodial and they grow new leaves, one opposite to the other from the center.
Your care seems right, the plant likes a moist environment but the roots need good air circulation, they do not like to remain in standing water.
One thing you should add to your routine is to fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once or twice a month.
The fertilizer should be soluble and diluted by half to a quarter of the dose indicated, the roots are very sensitive and the plants require small amounts of nutrients.
Good luck Nicola

[wintergirl]

When using that fertilizer mist, make sure the roots are wet with water first before applying.

[shereel]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

When using that fertilizer mist, make sure the roots are wet with water first before applying.

Should I use it every week like its directions?

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by shereel

Should I use it every week like its directions?

Every week is a lot in my opinion.
I only fertilize my phals once a month or less and they do just fine. I would just use it sometime when you are watering.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by nicola

...
Phalaenopsis have not a true stem they are monopodial and they grow new leaves, one opposite to the other from the center.
...

I'm not sure what you mean by "true stem", but I assure you that any botanist would recognize that Phalaenopsis, like any monopodial orchid, does indeed have a stem. It is usually hidden by the leaf bases, but all the leaves and roots emerge from the stem.

[wintergirl]

That wooden thing you see stuck in your planter looks like a support for an old spike and could be removed if it is. If it is a support it should not be attached to the plant. A flower spike will be part of the plant and can stay or get trimmed down.

[Optimist]

It is like a dowel from a hardware store.