The main stem of the orchid is shriveled up and has black spots on it
 

Hello everyone!

Due to previous experiences with orchids, I tried not to overwater my new orchid, but I have probably underwatered it instead. The bottom of the (main) stem of the plant is brown (because of dead leaves)and it has black spots on it. A lot of the roots are shriveled up, and the roots that are healthy have black spots on them and it looks like they might die. There is an inch of the stem that is nice and healthy, but there is no roots growing out of it. Also, the two bottom leaves are beginning to shrivel up and there is one (very small) leaf growing from the crow. The reason that i have left my orchid like this was because I thought the black spots were normal(because the leaves are dead) but the more that I look at it, the more serious it looks. I will be repotting this orchid this weekend. Please, please, please give me some advice on how to make it healthy again. Will I have to cut the (main) stem or is it ok to keep it attached to the healthy part of the plant? Will all of the roots die?

Thank you for your help and i apologize for the blurry pics.

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

It looks pretty good to me. It's a Phalaenopsis orchid. When it's underwatered the leaves develop fine wrinkles and become softer. The wrinkles run parallel to the long axis of the leaf. As it becomes more dried out, the wrinkles get worse, and the leaf becomes very soft. I don't see wrinkles on your plant.

I can't see the black spots on my small phone screen. But the leaves I see, and the roots in the pot, look good. In homes many Phals lose air roots because of lower humidity, but they survive and grow if the roots in the pot are good. Your plant looks like it has good roots.

When you water, take it to the sink and let water run through the pot so all the roots and medium are wet. Water again after the medium is dry, but don't let it stay dry for long. The time interval will vary with temperature, and whether the plant is actively growing. Dry roots are white or silvery. Wet roots are green.

There are good threads on growing Phals here. From the left yellow menu select Forums then Beginners. Look near the top for The Phal abuse stops here and Using wooden cooking skewers.

Thank you so much for your help! It's given me some reassurance. I repotted it yesterday and I let it soak in some water. It's looking better already.