Pruning a phalaenopsis

[bobloes]

Hi All

I am a real newbie to orchids but was given some great advice here at the beginning of the year which has turned my three orchids around. My phalaenopsis has flowered since December and now all the blooms have fallen off but as you can see from the attached photo two new stems have grown from the original ones with a number of buds which are growing steadily. Is it OK to prune off the stems above the junction or should I leave them. I only want to prune them because it is what I would do with my other plant species when it is unlikely that further growth will occur. This is primarily about aesthetics.

Thanks in advance

Bob

[Roberta]

I'd leave any live old spikes to see what they will do. It certainly doesn't harm the plant, in fact as long a they're green they're storing energy that the plant can use. It looks like you're going get "bonus" flowers, the other old spikes could do that too... What's the rush? Orchids do everything slowly. Patience...

[bobloes]

Thanks for Roberta - a good reminder re patience - I shall take note. Cheers

[bobloes]

HI Roberta

Not a lot of patience required.

Thanks

Bob

[Roberta]

Well done!