Question
The multiple flowers have dried and been removed leaving the bare spike.  When I bought the plant I was given some instruction on how to care and encourage blooming. Is the spike to be cut back?  How do I get the plant to bloom again?  Thanks,  Jim

Answer
Hello Jim,

I believe your moss or moth orchid is called a phalaenopsis orchid for future reference.  

When the flowers have all fallen off the spike, wait a month or two to see if the tip starts to turn brown and die back.  If it does, then cut off the spike leaving an inch or two down at the bottom.  

Phalaenopsis usually bloom once a year, so be patient and care for it as you were instructed.  To help encourage it to begin the bloom cycle in the fall, try exposing it to night temperatures around 55F for several weeks.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.