Question
Hi There

I bought my butterfly orchids at beginning of November 2007. When I bought them, they had two stems one with 4 flowers the other 6 flowers.

As time past the flowers started to die. However there is still sign of life. Because at the middle of February 2008 a new leaf had started to grow.

There are two steams/sticks where the flowers once had been. Do I need to trim these stems to promote new flowers or is it best just to leave them?

Kind regards,
Cleo.
South Africa.

Answer
Cleo, the genus Psychopsis (ie Butterfly orchid) can reflower on the old flower spikes (ie stems) so I would not remove them. It is not unusual for this plant to send up a new flower spike while also reblooming on an old one.  Wish you well with this plant native to South America.  The flowers are truly beautiful.