Phal growing secondary plant? super newbie

[MeggieMoo]

Hi everyone, brand new to the forum, but I've been a fan of orchids for years (I blame my mum).

I've not had good luck keeping them in previous years, but for the last few I've managed to keep my own alive, and my mum gifted me one of her older plants (that my husband nearly killed by knocking it off the shelf.. twice) -- Neither have bloomed in a few years, but they do grow the occasional new leaf.

I'm certain they're Phals, I have one with a purply bloom I think, but I've no clue what kind my mum gave me from her collection - she had 10 but had to downsize.

They're now situated on a table in our front room (faces south) by the window, they've been there for a good 2 months now. And I've slightly neglected them as I recently became a first time mum to a sweet baby boy.

On my regular rounds to check in on the plants, I noticed that the older orchid my mum gave me seems to be growing a new section of plant? I've never seen this guy do this before, so I'm not sure what to make of it. -- yes, this is the one that was knocked off the shelf hence the slant to it.

I hope the image attaches properly so you can see what I mean.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

Yes that is a new basal growth. That's one of the ways that orchids propagate themselves. It could be due to stress (if the main growth is doing poorly) or do it just to get bigger. At any rate, don't try to separate it, you would likely kill both.

A question... when was the plant last potted? The mix looks pretty decent - nice big bark - but if it is staying too wet, it could be rotting roots. If it hasn't been potted in the last year or so, worth taking a look.

[MeggieMoo]

I don't know if I should call this "potted" but when my husband sent the plant flying, the plant and the entire substrate came out of the pot... that was almost a year ago now. When I saw the roots then they were looking quite healthy. Both plants get a good soak close to once a month, but haven't had one in a little bit.

edit:
I will definitely not touch the baby! I wasn't sure if I should split them or not.

[Roberta]

A year isn't too much, but also wouldn't hurt for a repot... if the pot is staying wet for a month, the medium may be too water-retentive. A way to check on how fast the plant is actually drying...After you water it, weigh the pot on a kitchen scale or postal scale. Repeat the next day. When the rate of change of the weight slows down (not that much water left to evaporate) it is time to water again. Phals like humid air, rather than "wet" around their roots. I think ideal is to have it dry out to the point that it needs watering about twice a week, or at most once a week. Then water it well - let water run through the pot (which also pulls air into the root zone) .