Should I cut this phal stem?

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Once the old flower spike turns brown, it's doing nothing more for the plant, feel free to cut because it's just ugly. For me, I don't cut anything green if I can help it because the plant can use that stored water and tissue. (No, it doesn't take energy from the plant, just the opposite) Brown and crunchy, it's out if I get around to it (not hurting anything) On Phals it's easy to tell. Some other types like Epidendrums and Dendrobiums, spikes and canes can look dead and be very much alive... so those don't get cut until they actually shrivel, or snap off easily. (Learned the hard way...cutting something brown and finding that it WAS green on the inside. You can't reattach it...)

Great, thanks! What are your thoughts on cutting just above the next node after flowering to encourage a new flower spike?