Question
I received a Phalaenopisis orchid for Mother's Day 2007.  It was in bloom with about eight flowers on the stem.  The last flower fell of a couple of weeks ago.  I replanted the plant last week. and so far everything looks good.  The leaves are shinny and look healthy.  Now I'm not sure how to keep it that way and when I can expect a new stem for flowers.  I have been watering it with a light african violet liquid plant food  8-14-9  I only use this once or twice a month.  I use 6/7 drops in two quarts of water. It is growing in a western window in the Utility room.  The window has developed hard water stains on the outside so I do not get real hot afternoon sun.  We also have some trees in the yard that partial shade this area.

Answer
Hello Jewel,

Glad to hear that your Mother's Day phalaenopsis is doing well.  Keep it up!  

Did you remove the flower stem when you repotted it?  If not, that would be a good to do.  Phalaenopsis usually bloom once a year, usually late winter to spring.  The new stem will appear from the base of a leaf in mid to late fall and slowly grow, it would be a good idea to give it some support by loosely tying it to a support stake every 6 inches or so.  Until then, keep it growing with strong healthy growths.  It will probably grow a new leaf from the top or crown, it should grow to be as large or larger than the older leafs, if not that could indicate a problem that needs your attention.  

While the african violet plant food is fine for them, it probably is not best for the phal.  There is nothing wrong with using it but your phal may not grow as well as if you were feeding it a balance type orchid fertilizer.  A shaded west window is fine as long as the sunlight is not too strong and it does not get too hot there in the afternoon or above 85F.  You didn't mention where you live but if in the southern states it probably gets too hot there but if in the northern states it probably is okay.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.