Question
One day all the spikes were on the plant, the next day they were wilted and several had fallen off.  The plant now has no spikes at all.  I've held back watering it because the soil is still moist6.

Is the plant dying?  What can I do to get more blooms?

Answer
Hello Claire,

Without seeing the orchid plant in question, it is difficult to say what happened and why it did.  But from your description of what happened, it sounds like it might have been caused by snails or slugs which love to munch on orchid spikes and flowers.  Did you look at the area where the spikes broke off or are bent to see if you could see why it happened?  If there is a chunk of the spike missing there, it probably was those critters that did the dastardly deed.  

Although it is after the fact, you can try putting some snail and slug bait on top of the pot and when they come out at night to feed again, they will become history.  One thing some people have done to check for snails and slugs is to take half a potato, carve out most of the potato and set it down on the pot.  Next morning, if they are present you will find them in the potato.  Just remember, if there are a couple visible, there probably are more still hiding within the pot along with unhatched eggs, so you will have to be diligent in keeping after them over the next month or so.  

Hope this helps.  If you don't find snails or slugs, write back and I'll explore some other possibilities.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.