Growing Orchids in a Montana office

[ambalamba]

Hi there!

In August, I began working an office job. Part of establishing my space here was to buy some plants and see if I could cultivate them under mostly florescent lighting. I ended up purchasing a beautiful moth phaleonopsis from a local grocery store. It was blooming and so pretty- but I knew nothing about orchids and soon found myself struggling to save the poor thing from root rot. It's roots had been packed in soggy sphag and shoved into a plastic bag. The flowers all died, and the spike also expired. I replaced the medium with bark and have been alternating watering and fertilizing. Now, it has lost two leaves, but also has sprouted two. The roots look greenish/white and are firm. I check it every day for growth and am encouraged by it's color. I hope it blooms again!

Today, my husband gifted me with a huge cymbidium for the office, it is blooming with one spike. It looks as though it has been in the same pot and medium for a long time. I am looking for tips on how to spot clues as to the health of this plant, and how to encourage it to grow in my office. I don't want for this orchid to be half dead before I realize it! (like what happened with my poor little phal!) If anyone has some advice for me on growing and maintaining these plants, I would surely appreciate it!