Question
how many times will an orchid plant bloom?  I received my first orchid as a gift for Mother's day and my flowers fell off this week.  Will there be another blooming?

Answer
Maryann, I assume you have a phalaenopsis orchid-- the most common type.  If the old flower spike (from which the blooms originate) stays green, you might have more flower buds forming. If it dies back (ie turns brown), it is the type of phalaenopsis orchid that has an annual flowering and you will need to wait until next spring for it to send up a new flower spike.  As long as you can maintain the plant in good health, it can provide annual blooms indefinitely.  The key to good health is to repot it annually in orchid potting mix after it finishes blooming.  Orchids like lots of air movement through the pot and thus the need for a special orchid potting mix available at most garden centers.  Leaving the plant in the same potting mix too long can result in root rot and the decline of the plant over time.