Question
This is my first experience with orchid growing. The last flower has just dropped and I am not sure how far to cut back. Is the bloom spike the whole stem from the base or is it the last 8 to 10 ins of stem where the flowers were.My plant is about 30 ins from tip to leaf area thanks

Answer
Angela, thanks for your question.  You can cut off the old bloom spike above any of the nodes (ie joints) in the old flower spike but the usual nodes would be the second, third, or fourth above the leaves.  Don't forget to repot your plant in orchid potting mix as this is recommended after each flowering.  However, it may have been repotted just before you received it-- in which case it should be okay for another year.