Question
I received a healthy Phal Orchid plant 5 weeks ago and it had six flowers. I didn't notice if there was any bud when I got it, but last week I noticed there was one bud coming out when two flowers were falling. The plant is sitting in a bright room with no direct sun light. I have been watering it every week with 1.5-2 ounces of water. Sometimes (maybe every other week) I use some food (Magic Gro). But yesterday two flowers fell and today two more. Now the last two flowers are withering too. The top part of the stem is getting yellow yet the four leaves close to the pot are fine. I'm afraid it's dying. Is there anything I can do to save my plant, such as repotting or something? If I repot, do I need to cut the yellow part of the stem? How far should I cut?

Thank you,
Wei

Answer
It is not unusual for the flower spike on a phal to dry and die back.  You will notice that there are nodes along the flower spike.  You may want to wait before cutting the flower spike to determine where to cut it off.  It may die back to the its point of origin near the leaves or it may stop its die back above a node.  If the latter. cut it off just above the node.  If the former, cut it off at its point of origin.  Flower spike die back is not related to any shortcomings on your part but is genetically programmed into the plant.  Nor is it connected to plant health.  Sounds like you have a healthy plant.  So, is there anything to do?  I suggest that, as a  rule, you repot the plant in fresh orchid potting mix each year after flowering is done.  That will help to ensure that you have healthy roots and healthy roots will give you a healthy plant.  When you unpot the plant in preparation for repotting be sure to wash all of the old potting mix from the roots and remove any mushy roots if there are any.