Question
Hello,
After getting inspired by a visit to a botanical garden, I purchased 3 Phalenopsis orchids (2 from Lowes and 1 from Walmart). I also bought some orchid fertilizer and a "Orchids for Dummies" book . . . I think I'm starting to get obsessed =).  

In reading the Dummies book I learned about pots and potting mixes.  The phals that I got from Lowes are potted with sphagnum moss in very pretty clay pots.  But the pots have NO drainage holes.  The phal from Walmart is potted with some kind of bark in a clear pot with tons of holes.  Also the directions for watering the Lowes phals read, "Water only when the moss on top is completely dry" whereas the directions for watering the Walmart phal are, "Water weekly with 3 ice cubes."

I'm wondering if the phals in the clay pots will be ok or if I should re-pot them in something with drainage holes.  I have been watering everyone weekly and I've fertilized them all once in 3 weeks.  The phal from Walmart is obviously thriving . . . the Lowes phals look good, but not quite as vivacious in blooms, foliage, or aerial roots.  

Also, after everyone finishes flowering I was planing to cut the stems back as low as possible to give them a nice long rest (after being forced to bloom like mad for sale).  Would cutting them back that far be good for them or might it just stunt their progress?

Thanks for you time! =)

Answer
Jess, I sense several questions there, so I'll do my best to address all of them.  First, cutting off the old flower spike when it has finished flowering, will not damage the plant.  In fact, some phals actually experience flower spike die back naturally.  Second, phals actually need good air movement and, hence good drainage.  When you repot, you need to use pots with lots of drainage holes.  Use of moss as a potting material may work fine in the short while but presents moisture control problems.  Moss that appears dry on the surface, may actually be damp. or even wet, in the root zone and may lead to root rot. Over time, the mix tends to compact, worsening the problem. When you repot, use a fir-bark based orchid potting mix.  This mix should be sifted before use to remove dust-like particles that can plug the air spaces.  It also should be well soaked because dry fir bark tend to repel water.  When you repot, be sure to check the roots.  Roots that are mushy are dead and should be removed prior to repotting.  Third, I can't recommend the "ice method" for watering.  The water may chill the roots, but, more importantly, the melt water does not uniformly wet the potting mix so some areas of the pot become excessively wet, while other areas remain dry.  After you repot in the fir-bark based potting mix, water by thoroughly flushing water through the mix. Your schedule of watering and feeding is fine and should be continued.

I wish you well in your growing.  Please feel free to contact me any time you have questions.