My orchid looking sick

[Dorchid]

👍🏻

[Rossplym]

Hi guys well I have started to feed my orchid and water a little bit more. I had to cut two leaves off as they were dying but since doing all this and making sure it had no spider mites it's started to look healthier and is growing something now sure if it's a new spike of a leaf what do you guys think?

[DrDawn]

Looks like a root tip! Nice!

[Rossplym]

Ahhh I got all excited for a second haha

[DrDawn]

You should be excited! Roots are the most important part of the plant!

FYI, I took a quick pic of one of my Phals so you can see some anatomy. The leaves sprout out of the top of the plant, roots and flower spikes come from the sides. It takes a little practice to be able to distinguish roots from spikes, but as they grow a little bit, it becomes really clear.

[Rossplym]

Thank you for the picture, this has helped me a lot.

[WaterWitchin]

And new cat! Just no label. Rossplym, if you look very closely at that picture, the tip has what many call a little “mitten” tip. That’s a good way when just starting to also tell the difference.

[DrDawn]

Hahah, the cat "assists" with the orchids by sampling all their leaves. :-P

[neophyte]

Rossplym, congrats! Just fyi, you don't have to cut off yellowing leaves because they will eventually fall off naturally. Cutting the leaves could potentially introduce an infection (mainly if you are using contaminated tools).