Question
QUESTION: Hi,

Your answer to my last question was very helpful so here's another! When the orchids lose their flowers, should the stem be cut down and if so when and where?  Do I continue watering and fertilizing it as usual?  Should it stay in the same place as when it has it's flowers?
Thank you for being available for questions...mighty helpful.
Elaine

ANSWER: Elaine, first to your question about the old flower spike.  The fate of the old flower spike is genetically determined. If the old flower spike remains green you should cut it off just above a node (ie joint) in the flower spike. Counting from the bottom up, this cut should be above either the second or third node.  Having done  this, if the flower spke remains green, you may get a branch on the flower spike from the node just below the cut.  However, there is the possibility that your plant is genetically predisposed to lose the old flower spike and have it dry up.  Phalaenopsis orchids with this disposition will bloom only from new flower spikes during the regular flowering season.

The best place for growing and blooming phalaenopsis is in an east window but other windows will work. It is possible to place an orchid in flower almost anyplace in a room, but growing conditions reuire a fair amount of indirect light.  To not only grow a plant well but also rebloom it well requires more light. Bright indirest light and/or some sunshine would be best for that.  You can continue watering and fertilizing once per week if you have a freshly repotted plant.  Otherwise, it is recommended that you repot your plant in orchid potting mix after each flowering.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: In regards to the spike, if it does dry up does that mean that the plant won't ever flower again so dispose of it?
The flowers fell off of this spike quite a while ago and the spike has remained green.  I'll cut it down as you've said in your previous response.  Thank you again.

Answer
Elaine, if the spike dries up all that means is that the plant will not rebloom on that same spike.  However, you can still expect it to send up a new bloom spike annually and it will flower from that new bloom spike.  Bloom time for most phalaenopsis is in the spring.