Question
Hi Wayne,
I have a phalaenopsis orchid. All the blooms have fallen off and Im ready to cut the stem. My question is, where exactly should i cut it? On the net, i have found varying answers, from under the lowest node, just ABOVE the lowest node and half-way down the stem. This is my first orchid (ihave since bought two more, now i see the addiction:)and im very much hoping for a rebloom. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.
Kurt

Answer
Technically, it doesn't matter.  Let me explain.  Phalaenopsis spikes are of two types: 1) the type that turns brown and dies back and 2) the type that stays green.  If your phalaenopsis is the type that dies back, then you can wait to remove it after it has dried up.  Of course, that would mean that you would have an unattractive dried old flower spike on your plant until you remove it at its base where it attaches to the plant.  The second type stays green and may produce additional brances at a node. If you cut off the green spike below a node, the spike will just die back as far as the next node down and possibly branch from that node or one below it.  If you want to avoid the die back for that portion of the stem above the node, make the cut just above a node-- any node. Remember, if you have the type of phalaenopsis that naturally loses its flower spike, then, no matter what you do, the flower spike will turn brown.  In either event, when it is reblooming time, if you have a large, healthy plant, it will rebloom from the base of the plant when it comes into bloom season.