Question
Dear Jim,
When I got my orchid it had a long, straigh spike of flowers.  Sometime between flowering, it got broken off about half way.  It proceded to branch off into several branches, then flowered like crazy.  The flowers were all over the branches and facing all different directions.  I prefer the straight, single spike.  Is there anything I can do to get back to that look?  I haven't done anything to the existing spike yet and it is now done flowering.

Answer
Hello Sadie,

First, I'd like to apologize for taking so long to respond to your questions.  Been running behind and the hurrier I go the further behind I get.  (grin)

Sorry to hear that your flower spike broke off in the middle.  Although you did not mention what kind of orchid you have, my guess is that it might be a phalaenopsis orchid.  If there is a tag or label with it, check to see if that is what it is called.  

If it is a phalaenopsis orchid, many of them will do as yours did, send out branches from the main spike.  Some do this right from the beginning while others do this after a while, it sounds like yours might be the latter.  

How to get it to produce a long straight spike?  I'm afraid you will have to wait until next flowering season which could be as soon as late winter or early spring.  The new spike will emerge from the base of a leaf, it will want to grow up at first but then start to lean over.  Your phal. probably has a stake or thin stick that the spike was tied to to help support it, save it for next year.  Once the spike is over 6 inches long, gently tie it to the stick and as it grows longer, tie it every 6 inches.  This should help make it grow straight up.  

Why did the flowers face every which way?  Did you move it around while the flower buds were forming?  Buds will open towards the light, unless you put it back in the exact same place and facing the light the same way, flowers will open in all different directions.  If there was a tag in the pot, use that as a reference each time you move it and make sure it is towards or away from the light.  If there was no tag, try putting something in the pot to use as a reference.  

Now that all of the flowers have died and fallen off, you can remove the spike by cutting it off as low as you safely can.  

If it is a phalaenopsis and you would like some guidelines on how to care for it, let me know and I'll send you some.  It also would be helpful to know where you live so I can tailor it to your area.  

Hope the above has been helpful.  Good luck.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.