Should I cut that part off? It is the base, the rest of the branch is dark green and the whole thing hangs flat.

You can easily propagate them so if you begin to think that the main stem is getting weak and the plant will eventually die, then just take some of the leaflets and plant them to make another plant.

What kind of soil should I use? Do I add sand?

Suzy, please post a picture...otherwise we are just stabbing around in the dark.

Do not add sand. Use a bark-based mix, like an Orchid Mix.

Josh

^ what he said.