Question
I bought an orchid 6 months ago (in NZ summer) and it was doing well in the position I had it (facing north & not in direct sunlight) for ages. Then my "learning to walk and reach things son" pulled it down twice so I moved it into my lounge in a more shaded but warm area.
After the shock of the fall (I think) the flowers started falling off. So I read the internet and cut the spike to above one of the nodes. Then the leaves started drooping so I re potted it (another shock) I only found one little bit of brown mushy rot so cut that, cleaned rots thoroughly... problem is I used bark & soil, I guess the air can't get in and circulate.
It has been in my bedroom for the last couple of months (not over watered and if anything seemed dry) but the leaves are still droopy and after removing a little soil to help the air get in I see some more brown mushy roots in there, I am worried that if I re pot once again it will really give up. It does have a new leaf growing & a new little green root.
On the weekend I gave it a gold watering and good drain and moved it to the bathroom (where I thought humidity might help).  Its now Wednesday and the leaves are picking up and I am unsure if it was the watering that did the trick or the location in the bathroom and whether it really should be re potted totally in bark.
The long stem is still very green and looking healthy.


Answer
Jody, it does make a difference the type of orchid you have. My guesses are that it is either a phalaenopsis or a dendrobium. The phalaenopsis has broad rounded leaves and the flower spike originates from the base of the plant. It would be fine to cut the spike above a node on the flower spike. The flower spike may remain green or turn brown and die back naturally depending upon the ancesry of this plant.  If it were a dendrobium, this would not be the correct advice.

Once leaves are droopy, they probably will not recover so you have to depend upon new root or shoot growth. Since the plant is looking better, I would continue with what you are doing. Flush it with a thorough watering once a week.  Phalaenopsis are house plants and like humidity, which a bathroom can provide. Howver, I would recommend a location where it can get some morning sunlight.  Let me know if you learn the type of orchid you have.