Question
I received a phalaenopsis orchid as a gift back in November. I cut the stem after it bloomed hoping it would re-bloom. It has not bloomed again but now the stem is starting to change colors from the cut point downward. IT's turning yellow and deep purple.

I have not been able to find any resource on the internet to explain this. The plant appears to be heathly otherwise - the leaves are in good condition. I have it near a window so it does receive indirect sunlight.   Is it receiving too much water? Does  it need fed? (I have not fed it since I received it), or is it dieing?

Thanks for any help you can offer.


Answer
Depending upon its ancestry, phalaenopsis may have flower spikes that remain green and can rebloom on the same flower stem.  It appears you have the other kind where the flower spike does not rebloom and, in fact, dies back and dries up.  It is not likely that it has anything to do with how you grow the plant.

As long as your plant continues to be healthy, it will send up a new bloom spike from the base of the plant.  Normally, this happens once per year, so the new bloom spike will appear a month or so before its normal blooming time. Overwatering can be a problem depending upon how fresh the orchid potting mix is in the pot.  It is generally recommended that the plants be repotted once per year when they are out of bloom.  Repotting also provides an opportunity to check the roots to be sure there is no root rot present.  Rotted portions of roots need to be removed, if present, before repotting the plant in fresh mix. A good orchid potting mix allows air to pass through the mix preventing the rotting of roots.  I would not water it more than once per week and you may feed it with any plant food at 1/2 of the recommended concentration.