Question
Hi, one website suggests to cut off the stem 2 inches above the top leaf. I have not found another website suggesting such care after the blossoms drop off. Do you have suggestions?
Thanks,
Rob

Answer
Hi Rob.  Let me assume that you are talking about a phalaenopsis orchid and that the "stem" to which you refer is actually the bloom spike.  Technically, it doesn't matter whether you cut off the bloom spike above a node, remove the entire bloom spike, or just leave it as is.  Some phalaenopsis orchids (depending upon the hybrid) have bloom spikes which dry up after blooming.  You, of course, won't know whether yours is of that type until some time after it stops blooming.  Other types have bloom spikes which remain green after blooming has finished.  These bloom spikes may rebloom in the future and may rebloom from one or more of the nodes along the old green bloom spike.  Some suggest cutting this type of bloom spike above one of the nodes for possible reblooming.  That is fine.  The fact is, however, that most phalaenopsis orchids will send up a new bloom spike in the following bloom cycle regardless of which of the aforementioned scenarios exist. I prefer to give the plant a rest from blooming between its regular bloom periods to build its strength because blooming does require a lot of the plant's energy. If you subscribe to the latter idea, then your approach would be to remove the entire bloom spike after blooming and await the emergence of an entirely new bloom spike the following year.  As I have tried to convey, the choice is yours and the consequences are not significant no matter what your choice.