Worm looking thing on my first orchid

[Ekaterini2031]

Hey everyone I just got my first orchid I don't know what kind it is and when I got it home I noticed this gray worm looking thing on it. The lady at the store said she picked out the orchid most likely to succeed for me but I want to make sure this thing isn't going to hurt my orchid. I have attached pictures since I don't know enough about orchids to ask my question without them. There are 2 pictures of the worm looking thing and one of my orchid. Thanks!

[kavanaru]

Hi Ekaterini,

you've got a nice Phalaenopsis Hybrid. This is a great Orchid to start with. They are quite easy plants. Here you can find some advice on how to cultivate it:
Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Growing Orchids - Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis

as per the worm looking thing.. Don't worry at all: It's a root! you will see when you water the plant, that it will become greenish, due to the absorved water...

[Orchidophile]

Hi Ekaterini2031, your orchid is a Phalaenopsis hybrid of some kind but not able to tell what hybrid since there are so many out there. That worm looking thing is a root.

[Paul]

just wait until that "worm" tries to crawl out of the pot [and it most likely WILL. LOL]

[Dorothy]

The type of Phalaenopsis is often referred to as a Harlequin .. here is a site that shows a few different kinds - Click on the following link - Harlequin Phalaenopsis
One can only speculate on it's official name and parents it has since it came with no name tag (No identification or what we affectionately refer to as a 'NOID')
That worm is a great sign .. it means your Phal is happy and healthy .. it has sent off an aerial root which it uses to absorb nutrients and moisture from the air ..
Congrats on your first orchid
Just to give you another source - here is the OB's Care Sheet for Phals - http://www.orchidboard.com/Phalaenop...ure-Care-Sheet
BTW
Ekaterini
Glad you have joined us at the OB

[kimstwin]

Good Luck with your first plant and congratulations in joining the wonderful hobby of growing and loving orchids!

[Ekaterini2031]

Thanks for all the congrats. I really bought this because it is my favorite flowering plant (rosemary is my favorite herb) and my mom wants to get me a couple of plants for my dorm room so I asked for rosemary and an orchid...I'm just hoping I have better luck keeping these two alive than I did when I was living at home.