Question
QUESTION: hello! i have a moth orchid and it has not flowered in almost one year.
i think for a while it was not getting enough light because the leaves were a dark green but now i put it in the window although it faces north and its in San Francisco the plant seems to be getting better
one thing is,last time it flowered,i never cut down the spikes,i just left them as they were.  should i go ahead and trim them now or will they flower again without a trim?

ANSWER: Amanda, with regard to the old flower spikes, if they have turned brown you may cut them off.  If they are still green, cut the flower spike off just above a node (ie joint) in the flower spike.

Probably the plant has not re-flowered because it was not getting enough light.  The leaves should be a light green to yellow green.  Put a finger or hand between the light source and a plant leaf.  You should see a faint shadow cast upon the leaf to have adequate light.  An east facing window is best for year around growing of phalaenopsis.

You didn't mention whether the plant has been repotted in orchid potting mix.  This should be donee annually to ensure root health.

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QUESTION: thank you so much for your help! the spikes are still green and they each have a few nodes on them so should i cut the spike where the nodes begin towards the end of spike(ie should i leave any nodes?) also,i have not reported the plant in a year,i was waiting for it to flower till i did that. Do you think i should go ahead and repot?
thank you again!

Answer
Any node is fine.  Cut the spike just above the node.  It is possible that a new flower spike will emerge from the node just below the cut.  Repotting should occur as soon as the plant finishes flowering.  Otherwise, I would not repot unless, or until, you start losing leaves-- a symptom of root rot.