Question
A few months ago I purchased an orchid that I think is an Phalaenopsis equestris. It's last flowers have finally fallen, after 3 months. I am new to orchids and want to make sure not to damage this plant. Should I trim the spike back? If so, where? Also, when should I repot this plant?  

Answer
Hello Desiree,

You must have been doing a great job of caring for your Phal. equestris since the flowers lasted 3 months.  Now that the flowers have all withered and died, what to do with the barren spike?  If the tip of the spike is still alive, leave it alone and it may continue to grow and eventually produce new buds and flowers.  If the tip starts to die back by turning brown, cut off the spike down low and it should produce a new spike next winter.  

Phalaenopsis love being repotted annually and the best time to repot is after all the flowers have died.  When you repot, take a close look at the roots and root tips.  Roots should be nice and plump and firm when squeezed.  Root tips should have a green tip when actively growing.  Black root tips indicate the tip has died but the root probably is still alive but it will not grow any longer.  Many times, such a root will produce new roots along the healthy part of the root.  

Hope this helped.  Good luck.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.