We are assuming the orchid is outdoors for the summer. How do you know it was using the orchid as a home? Did it flush out on more than one day when the orchid was being tended?

The orchid has always been indoor, never outside, or on a porch etc. I noticed it when I pulled the orchid out to repot and there it was, clinging to the roots. This is an old house and we have some bugs, ( spiders, ants, happy fun wasps) but no roaches. I was thinking it might have just hitched a ride but there were no new plants added or moved in from outdoors.

I hate to tell you, but you do have at least one roach, lol. If you haven't had the plant very long, perhaps it came from where you purchased it. It looks like a German cockroach, other than the color ; they are very very common in some parts of the country. What's your location?

It was my aunts, I've had it for a few months. I'd expect to see roaches around food areas etc,, not in a pot that's in another pot on the top shelf of a bookcase. I thought of a German or a wood roach, either way, kill it with fire. Oh almost forgot, I live in Cape Cod Ma. Honestly I thought the plant was dead until I saw a little green sprout. I'd be happy in my ignorant bliss if it wasn't for that little green shoot ha

The good news is that could be the only roach in your house and is not breeding and making more roaches. How did you catch up to it for the kill?

If they are breathing they are breeding lol. I found another one. Luckily for me I was wearing a camo print sweatshirt so I blended into the big old spider plant that was behind me but no, it let me guide it from the root to the curtain I photographed it on. It even waited while I went to get the camera and take two pics. One with flash and one without. There was no chase. The same with the second one. Very un roach like. Maybe it's the ocean air? Do they by chance eat dead plant material?

Yes, they do eat that, and can get by for long periods on just water, if you water the orchids regularly.

Maybe that explains it, well the sluggishness. it may have been nibbling on leftovers from another um, sedative plant. I decided to toss the orchid. I thought it was dead so watered it once. I guess he just found the perfect buffet. Thank you for your advice. Are you strictly an orchid person or what other plants do you do?

I have zero orchids or houseplants. I am a long-time insect hobbyist. You were fortunate to have cockroaches that were sedate.