Question
Hi there,

My phalaenopsis has bloomed beautifully for 4 years.  This last time the stem turned brown.  There is no other stem on the plant.  Will another one grow at some point?  How long does this usually take?  

Answer
Yes Anne, there will be a new flower spike-- probably next spring. It takes more than a month from the time the new flower spike is initiated until it is blooming size.  The new spike will come from the base of the plant.

This is a good time to repot your plant if it has not been repotted in the last year.  Repotting floowing flowering is a good practice.  This also allows an opportunity to check the root condition and remove any roots that are mushy or stringy as they are dead.  Be sure to use a standard orchid potting mix and soak a portion prior to use.  The fir bark in the mix is usually dry and draws water away from the roots.  The soaking reduces this water repellancy.  Use a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes inthe bottom.