Question
Hi Jim,
Our orchid has now dropped all of its flowers after five months. Am I correct in assuming that if I cut the stem back as you prescribe, the more healthy leaves we have the better chance there is of it re-flowering? ours has six!
Andy - Suffolk, UK

Answer
Hi Andy,

Yes, removing the spent flower spike will allow the orchid to recover from the flowering process and get ready for next seasons blooming.  

With six leaves, you have a very healthy orchid.  Now that the blooming is over, you might consider repotting it into fresh potting mix.  Phalaenopsis orchids love being repotted annually.  

Over the next year it may produce two or more new leaves which should grow to be as large or larger than the current leaves.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.