Should I cut off spent flower stems?

[JenMorri88]

Can you please tell me whether it is necessary to cut off peduncles from orchids (when the flowers have already faded), and if necessary, at what point, and whether to process the cut with something?

[camille1585]

Hi Jenmorri88, I have moved your post to it's own thread so that people are more likely to see it, especially as it is about a very different topic than the thread it was originally in. Please let me know if you prefer a different thread title.

As to your question, what type of orchid are you talking about? Is the spike still green, or brown and dead? Anything dead can be snipped off. For still green spikes, it can depend on the type of orchid and your personal preferences. Some orchids will continue to produce more buds from the tip of the bloomless spike, some can be cut back part way to encourage a secondary spike.

[Orchidtinkerer]

Originally Posted by JenMorri88

Hello everyone! Cracks formed on the bulb at the Cattleya. Seemingly dry. Is it dangerous? Can Phalaenopsis be kept on a sunny south window? can you help me!

just spotted this in an unrelated post also. Looks like another one in a million grower who went down to the shop, bought some orchids and then realized they don't know what they are doing. I suppose I can suggest this basic care guide which should answer most beginner questions:

LEARN

[WaterWitchin]

That's certainly not a very kind way to respond to someone new asking for help OrchidTinkerer. Everyone has to start somewhere. And you have no idea how JenMorri got her orchid(s). Perhaps it was a gift, and she's attempting to learn something new. Regardless, I give you a D+ for playing nicely in the sandbox today.

I am also closing this thread for further comments, and have moved it, plus two others, to their own thread so she can get some answers to her questions.