Question
Hi Wayne,

I have 4 orchids and they have all lost their flowers. I know this is normal, as new leaves were growing avidly at the time. Now however, the stems are turning brown and dry. It started with the oldest orchid, and now all of them have started to turn from the top, down. I know dying flowers affect the growth of other orchids nearby- is this the same with stems?? I have cut most of the brown stems off, but not yet to their leaves. I am not sure what to do and am very worried. What is really confusing is that all the plants' leaves are absolutely flourishing. New healthy leaves are growing in all of them as well. I am really stuck. It seems as though all my precious orchids have their days numbered but their base is healthy. Do I keep cutting the brown stems down? Should I cut them completely right now? HELP! Any advice (or funeral arrangements) would be greatly apprecited!

Fei

Answer
Fei, all is well.  Many phalaenopsis bloom just once from their flower spike and the spike then dies back.  You can cut the spike off entirely as the next flowering will come from a new flower spike originating from the base of the plant. Removing the flower spike will have no consequences for growth or future flowering.

It is generally recommended that phalaenopsis orchids be repotted in fresh orchid potting mix following each flowering.  Since your plants are now producing healthy new leaves it is not crucial that you do this at this time.  If the new leaves fail to achieve the size of the older leaves, you should consider repotting at that time.  Orchid potting mix tends to become more soil-like over time as it breaks down.  If they are in moss, moss compacts over time,  Both conditions result in a potting mix that stays too wet and/or permits less air to get to the roots.  This will eventually lead to root rot affecting the health of the plant.