Question
Hi can anyone help. I have two miniature phalaenopsis Both have dropped their blooms. One seems healthy with a growing flower spike. Both have gren roots in a tranparent pot. After the flower dropped one of the flower spikes has turned yellow. I have cut that down to a node.
Have I done the right thing and what should I do or expect now.  I am an 81 year old/young pensioner who has just started a collection. and am trying to learn. Thank you in advance for any help.

Answer
Hello Marcus,  

Congratulations upon starting a new hobby at the young age of 81.  As you will find out, growing orchids can be an interesting and rewarding hobby, one that you can do when you get to 100 and beyond.  

If the phalaenopsis orchid is healthy with a minimum of 4 mature leafs, you can do what you did and possibly get a second bloom cycle.  What will happen is a new spike will begin to grow from the node and slowly elongate over several months and begin to produce buds that will slowly open over another 2 months or so.  The flowers will not be as large as the original flowers but they should last for several months before they die and drop off.  

Once the second blooming is finished, it would be a good idea to cut the spike off completely to allow the phalaenopsis to recover and begin the next new bloom cycle.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.